Nature Can Help With PTSD

Kevin came to me one day and asked, what I can do to help me deal with my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The answer I gave him might come as a surprise to some, but not those who work with PTSD clients. I like to tell people outside sports is a great outlet for a lot of folks with PTSD. Outside activity is good for the psyche, especially hiking, camping, or fishing. The idea is to be in the moment and not be in your head where the flashbacks live. When you are outside you focus on the here and now, not the past. I believe sports like basketball, football, soccer, or baseball are not as good because the competition can be a trigger and frustrating. Also, there tend to be a crowd at these events where nature activities can be done with limited crowds.

Hiking can be a great way to deal with PTSD. Going for a walk in the woods can be very therapeutic for most people. Hiking can be done alone, with family, or with a group of trusted friends. Any way you look at it, hiking can keep you in the here and now which is helpful when combating PTSD. Understanding that you are in a safe place can be comforting and helpful. Being in the woods can be relaxing and give someone with PTSD the quiet time they need to slow their brains down and combat their hypervilligance. Like hiking camping can be good too.

Camping is good for PTSD because you can get away from the crowds and have some quality time with your family, friends, or alone. Camping gets you into a comfort zone and connect you with nature, helping you feel safe and secure. Camping is peaceful and quiet especially if you combine hiking into a remote area to camp. When I lived in Alaska there were thousands of veterans who lived in the “bush” for the peace and quiet, they hiked into the wilderness, built a cabin back in the woods where they could be left alone. I am not advocating someone go into the wilderness and be alone, I am advocating that it is healthy from time to time to get out of your head and reconnect with the solitude of nature, especially if it involves fishing.

Fishing is one of the best things for PTSD, especially fly fishing. The quiet and serenity of fly-fishing is one of the most therapeutic things someone with PTSD can do. The cadence and the rhythm of casting the fly, reading the streams, matching the hatch, all place the individual in a trance like state if done correctly. Fly-fishing is proven throughout the years to be successful in helping veterans work through their PTSD. There are several groups dedicated to teaching veterans how to fly fish. During the time they are fly-fishing veterans are in the moment, not worried about the problems or troubles, they are focused on what they’re doing.

If fly-fishing isn’t your thing, bass and trout fishing may be the answer. I’m not talking about throwing the worm out and just sitting on the bank, and drinking beer. I am talking about what a friend calls “fish hunting”. Fish hunting is the art of trying to find the pattern fish are on for that day. Fish move around a lake or river based on temperature, sunlight, weather fronts, water flow and oxygen levels. Finding where the fish are located is a challenge, making them bite is another one. During certain times of the year and certain times of the day fish move around the lake or river and develop a pattern. Trying to figure out that pattern puts someone with PTSD in a focused state and not thinking about their triggers. Reading the bank contour and structure of the lake keeps someone with PTSD in the moment. Fishing is how I get my sanity, and I know it works for other people too, especially those with PTSD. Like so many other people I use fishing as an escape to get away from all the hassles of normal day-to-day life.

I know they’ll be people out there especially spouses who think I am crazy for saying hiking, camping, and fishing can help with PTSD, but it has been proven time and time again. Being in the moment and not worried about all the outside influences that trigger a person with PTSD is good. I told Kevin that he needed to investigate getting out of the house and getting into nature to help him deal with his PTSD. I encourage anyone who has PTSD, or any anxiety disorder to take the time and go into nature and relax. Being in the moment and not worried about the triggers of everyday life is very therapeutic.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

For more information about learning how to fly fish contact

Project Healing Waters

www.projecthealingwaters.org

760-780-7216

jim.owner@projecthealingwaters.org

Nature Can Help With PTSD

Kevin came to me one day and asked, what I can do to help me deal with my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The answer I gave him might come as a surprise to some, but not those who work with PTSD clients. I like to tell people outside sports is a great outlet for a lot of folks with PTSD. Outside activity is good for the psyche, especially hiking, camping, or fishing. The idea is to be in the moment and not be in your head where the flashbacks live. When you are outside you focus on the here and now, not the past. I believe sports like basketball, football, soccer, or baseball are not as good because the competition can be a trigger and frustrating. Also, there tend to be a crowd at these events where nature activities can be done with limited crowds.

Hiking can be a great way to deal with PTSD. Going for a walk in the woods can be very therapeutic for most people. Hiking can be done alone, with family, or with a group of trusted friends. Any way you look at it, hiking can keep you in the here and now which is helpful when combating PTSD. Understanding that you are in a safe place can be comforting and helpful. Being in the woods can be relaxing and give someone with PTSD the quiet time they need to slow their brains down and combat their hypervilligance. Like hiking camping can be good too.

Camping is good for PTSD because you can get away from the crowds and have some quality time with your family, friends, or alone. Camping gets you into a comfort zone and connect you with nature, helping you feel safe and secure. Camping is peaceful and quiet especially if you combine hiking into a remote area to camp. When I lived in Alaska there were thousands of veterans who lived in the “bush” for the peace and quiet, they hiked into the wilderness, built a cabin back in the woods where they could be left alone. I am not advocating someone go into the wilderness and be alone, I am advocating that it is healthy from time to time to get out of your head and reconnect with the solitude of nature, especially if it involves fishing.

Fishing is one of the best things for PTSD, especially fly fishing. The quiet and serenity of fly-fishing is one of the most therapeutic things someone with PTSD can do. The cadence and the rhythm of casting the fly, reading the streams, matching the hatch, all place the individual in a trance like state if done correctly. Fly-fishing is proven throughout the years to be successful in helping veterans work through their PTSD. There are several groups dedicated to teaching veterans how to fly fish. During the time they are fly-fishing veterans are in the moment, not worried about the problems or troubles, they are focused on what they’re doing.

If fly-fishing isn’t your thing, bass and trout fishing may be the answer. I’m not talking about throwing the worm out and just sitting on the bank, and drinking beer. I am talking about what a friend calls “fish hunting”. Fish hunting is the art of trying to find the pattern fish are on for that day. Fish move around a lake or river based on temperature, sunlight, weather fronts, water flow and oxygen levels. Finding where the fish are located is a challenge, making them bite is another one. During certain times of the year and certain times of the day fish move around the lake or river and develop a pattern. Trying to figure out that pattern puts someone with PTSD in a focused state and not thinking about their triggers. Reading the bank contour and structure of the lake keeps someone with PTSD in the moment. Fishing is how I get my sanity, and I know it works for other people too, especially those with PTSD. Like so many other people I use fishing as an escape to get away from all the hassles of normal day-to-day life.

I know they’ll be people out there especially spouses who think I am crazy for saying hiking, camping, and fishing can help with PTSD, but it has been proven time and time again. Being in the moment and not worried about all the outside influences that trigger a person with PTSD is good. I told Kevin that he needed to investigate getting out of the house and getting into nature to help him deal with his PTSD. I encourage anyone who has PTSD, or any anxiety disorder to take the time and go into nature and relax. Being in the moment and not worried about the triggers of everyday life is very therapeutic.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.

For more information about learning how to fly fish contact

Project Healing Waters

www.projecthealingwaters.org

760-780-7216

jim.owner@projecthealingwaters.org

Often Overlooked But Always There

With November 11th being Veterans Day I would like to pay tribute to veterans that don’t get the recognition they deserve and give them some information they might not know. About 12% of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) veterans are women. Another 18% of National Guard and Reserves are women. Combined with all of the other female veterans there are a lot of women have served over the years. These veterans are finally starting to utilize the Veterans Administration (VA) healthcare system and it appears the VA has finally noticed the needs of all veterans, not just the males. According to representatives from the VA there have been some major changes in their system for female veterans. According to the VA 6% of their users are females with an estimated 641,000 who have enrolled and about 620,000 who use their VA benefits. Gloria is one of those women who deployed with the National Guard and now utilize the VA health care system as her primary medical needs. She is happy with the service she receives at the VA and all I can say is, it’s about time female veterans get what they need and deserve.

I recently attended a training conducted by the VA on the needs of female veterans. I go to these trainings because I have multiple female clients and friends. I am always looking for ways to help them and training and contacts is key to helping all veterans. Gloria has had a positive experience with the women’s clinic at the VA. She gets her medical needs met and feels safe there which is a change from her past experiences. It is when I hear stories like Gloria’s that I want to get the word out. The VA appears to be trying to change the culture towards females, it’s about time. During the training the VA official actually admitted they have been fundamentally flawed when it came to women’s issues. They have had a history of catering to men having little regard for female veterans in the past and they are trying to change.

During her presentation, the VA official brought to light some changes in the system that caters to female veterans. In the past there were only doctors trained for men’s issues, female issues were secondary, if at all. The VA now has a women’s clinic with a doctor trained to treat female veteran’s needs. When calling patients from the waiting room, they use to call all names of veterans as Mr. In military culture, it is normal to be called by last names. According to the reprehensive the VA is trying to use last names when calling patients limiting the possibility of getting the gender wrong. There are now children’s changing tables in restrooms, both men and women’s, and more female restrooms. It does appear times are changing for the better I just hope it continues.

I have come to realize over the years the VA is not transparent as they should be. When I asked for an interview with the Women Veterans Program manager I was told I would have to go through public affairs for an interview. I have talked to several female veterans about their military experiences and why they don’t want to be recognized as a veteran. I would like to hear from the VA their thoughts on why so many female veterans do not identify as veterans, or don’t want to be recognized as being a veteran. Why don’t they stand up and get the credit and respect they have earned? Are female veterans embarrassed to be a veteran? Does the shame of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) prevent women from admitting they are veterans? Is it because civilian men who did not serve treat female veterans differently when they learn that the female served and they didn’t?  Why are female veterans 3 times more likely to be single parents? Why don’t they stand up and be recognized in public? Do they not feel accepted at veteran’s service organizations? Do male veterans make them feel uncomfortable? These are tough questions that only female veterans can answer and needs to be looked at. I would like to know what the VA believes and what they are planning to do about it.

It is important that our society gives credit and respect to our female veterans, they have earned it. I support them and always have. My wife is a veteran, I have friends, clients, and students who are female veterans. I can never fully understand what some female veterans went through while serving, but I can empathize and be an ally. When I attend female veteran’s events I feel I’m not wanted there, and I understand, I could have been a MST perpetrator. I have been told that females don’t want me at some events. I was told that I could not attend a female veteran’s event last year that I helped plan and organize. Of the 50 or so people who were at the training about female veteran’s issues I attended there were 4 men. One worked for the county, and another worked for the VA. This is troubling because female veterans need male allies. There are a lot of men that want to help, we just need to be accepted. I would like female veterans to let males they know and trust help them get what they have earned. They need to stand up proud and let the world know that they matter and get the respect they have earned. There are a lot of female veterans that stand up and get noticed for their service, but many I have talked to stay in the shadows. I want all of the female veterans in the shadows to come out and let us thank them for their service to our country. Happy Veterans Day to all veterans, especially the sheroes!   

For questions or comments, I can be reached at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit our website at marriedtoptsdpro.com and like us on Facebook at Married to PTSD Pro.