MILITARY LIFE

TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR WELL-BEING WITH A HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACH

Losing weight, managing stress, tackling transitions – if you're ready to make some life changes, free consultations with Military OneSource health and wellness coaches can help you set goals and create a plan to reach them.

You can be more successful in reaching your maximum potential when you have a coach cheering you on. Military OneSource health and wellness coaches stand ready to be your personal cheerleader.

HOW CAN A HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACH HELP ME IMPROVE MY LIFE?

• Having a health coach in your corner helps you make a plan, focus on results and reach your goals. The top five ways a wellness coach can improve your life are by helping to:
• 1. Clarify your focus (identify your beliefs, values and vision, and goals)
• 2. Set you up for success (create an action plan to achieve your goals)
• 3. Prepare you for the unexpected (eliminate roadblocks or barriers that stand in the way)
• 4. Keep you on course (hold you accountable for your goals)
• 5. Celebrate your achievements (acknowledge your hard work when you reach your goal)

WHAT TOPICS AND GOALS DO HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHES SUPPORT?

• Health and wellness coaches provide information, support, encouragement and accountability on specific topics including:
• • Weight management
• • Fitness
• • Nutrition
• • Health condition management
• • Stress management
• • Life transitions

HOW CAN A COACH HELP WITH LIFE TRANSITIONS?

Having a plan can sometimes make major adjustments and life changes easier. A Military OneSource health and wellness coach can help you make a plan before or during those life transitions when you're adapting to changes such as deployment, moving, becoming a new parent or retirement.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING?

The Military OneSource Health and Wellness Coaching Program ( militaryonesourceconnect.org/achievesolutions/en/militaryonesource/Content.do?co ntentId=27178) is a free resource for eligible service members (regardless of activation status) and certain others including:• Active duty.• National Guard.•Reserve members• Immediate family members and survivors of active-duty, National Guard and reserve members

HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH A HEALTH COACH?

• Call 800-342-9647 to sign up for health and wellness coaching sessions.
• You can choose from three Health and Wellness Coaching Program session options:
• • Phone
• • Secure, real-time online chat
• • Secure, real-time video session

ARE THERE SELF-DIRECTED WELLNESS PROGRAMS AVAILABLE?

If you prefer to work without a coach, visit the United States Department of Agriculture MyPlate Plan ( choosemyplate.gov/MyPlatePlan) to try a self-directed online program that tracks things like nutrition and exercise. You're one call away from starting to live a healthier life. Call today for the information, support, encouragement and accountability a Military OneSource health and wellness coach can give you.

THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS

 For many years, individuals with disabilities have been using sports as a therapeutic tool to overcome serious injury or illness and as a means of recovery. They fight their personal battles on the track, in the pool and on the court to send a very powerful message to themselves, to their families and to the public that serious injury or illness does not have to interrupt the pursuit of a meaningful and productive life.

Recognizing this, the Department of Defense, in coordination with the United States Olympic Committee, created the Warrior Games ( dodwarriorgames.com), an inter-service adaptive sports competition to showcase the resilient spirit of today's wounded, ill and injured service members. Athletes from all branches of the military compete against each other in a range of adaptive sporting events. Having overcome debilitating injuries and medical conditions, the service members embody the warrior spirit and serve as role models for other survivors worldwide. The United Kingdom's Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games ( invictusgamesfoundation.org) after attending the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado. He saw the impact that sports played in the recovery of service members and was inspired to launch a similar event designed for wounded, ill and injured military members and veterans from around the world that uses sports to promote healing and support rehabilitation.

WARRIOR GAMES, INVICTUS GAMES: SPORTS AS MEDICINE

• Many athletes say that participating in adaptive sports boosts their self-esteem, improves their mental and physical health, and makes them stronger and more resilient, generally. But not until recently have scientists begun to specifically and purposefully measure the effects of adaptive sports programs to determine their role in rehabilitation. See these resilient competitors in action!
• Check out featured videos, stories, photo essays and more at the following DoD Special Reports Pages:
• • 2018 DoD Warrior Games: defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0618_warriorgames
• • 2017 Invictus Games Toronto defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0917_invictus-games

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO RECOVERY, REHABILITATION AND COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION 

• Adaptive sports and other reconditioning activities help service members come to terms with traumatic injuries or illness by inspiring them to realize what is still achievable by focusing on ability. Adaptive sports promotes holistic growth and achievement by addressing several factors, including:
• • Being part of a team promotes a sense of belonging and peer support, of knowing you're not alone in your struggle.
• • The opportunity to renew the power of service to country and strong desire to pursue a higher purpose that have always inspired service members in combat and life.
• • Competition rekindles the sense of passion and determination of the warrior spirit that is part of a service member's DNA, the courage to move forward despite barriers and obstacles.
• • The chance to be celebrated and recognized, supported by family, friends and people from around the world, boosts self-worth and self-efficacy.
• Adaptive sports engages service members and veterans mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and socially – finding hope and strength through their common experiences.According to the Department of Defense's Office of Warrior Care (warrior care.dodlive.mil/carecoordination/masp), the benefits of physical activity for ill and injured service members also include reduced stress, increased quality of life, lower blood pressure, weight management and enhancement of the rehabilitative process.

FINDING AN ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM

• The Office of Warrior Care oversees the Military Adaptive Sports Program, which provides reconditioning activities and competitive athletic opportunities to all wounded, ill and injured service members. The program empowers wounded, ill and injured service members through physical and mental activities that engage, stimulate and inspire recovery. Learn more about the military services' wounded, ill and inured programs:
• • U.S. Army Warrior Care and Transition Program: facebook.com/ArmyWCT
• • U.S. Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment: woundedwarriorregiment.org
• • U.S. Navy Wounded Warrior – Safe Harbor: navywoundedwarrior.com
• • U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior Program: woundedwarrior.af.mil
• • U.S. Special Operations Command Warrior Care Program: socom.mil/care-coalition/Pages/Warrior-Care-Program-Mission.aspx 

In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events co-sponsors adaptive sports clinics and competitive events for disabled veterans of all ages and abilities. This includes the Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs, which provides grant funding to organizations to increase and expand the quantity and quality of community-based adaptive sports activities for veterans with disabilities and members of the armed forces. To find out more, visit va.gov/adaptivesports •