Mind and Body: Women Veterans Help Each Build Inner Strength by Sarah McBride, Public Affairs Specialist at Pine Bluff VAMC “For years, circumstances had me in a pressure cooker with little hope,” shares Betsy Pfeffer, U.S. Army Veteran who served at the end of the Vietnam Era. Betsy has been coming to Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) just over a year and was one of six women to attend the inaugural session of the 6-week mind-body skills group aptly termed, “Strength from Within.” This program is now in its second round of recruiting for participants and is designed to help women Veterans with mild to moderate stress learn stress management skills such as meditation, guided imagery and movement/breathing techniques. Many can probably relate to the story that Betsy shared with the first Strength from Within group. “I’ve been juggling work, being in the gap with my senior parents whose health is declining, and encouraging my husband who has been without work. Unfortunately, the long term stress impacted my body. I would wake up in the middle of the night, overwhelmed by a racing heart, my blood pressure remained above an acceptable range…the list goes on.” But Betsy learned that she is capable of managing that stress, through the help of Strength from Within and the other women Veterans in the group. Now, Betsy is working through her stress to lead a life where she is less anxious and more optimistic. “The group’s atmosphere helped me understand the importance of not stuffing stressors, but to work through them using the techniques we learned in each session. After completing the journey, not only am I hopeful, I have joy!” VHSO’s Strength from Within group is empowering women Veterans to take control of their stress and to work through it using several techniques taught by Jessica Minton, LCSW, Social Worker at VSHO. Ms. Minton is currently working toward a certification in Mind-Body Medicine and is excited to be leading the mind-body skills groups for women Veterans. She has a passion for teaching Veterans the healing power of self-care through mind-body skills such as yoga, breathing, meditation, guided imagery, mindfulness, drawing, journaling and movement. This program gave women Veterans the chance to learn and share in a safe and healing environment. According to Betsy, one of the greatest things about the group was getting to know the other women Veterans, “while we were diverse in our circumstances, we shared a common thread.” Betsy says two of her favorite exercises she learned and now uses regularly include guided imagery and journaling, “the techniques Jessica shared in the sessions significantly reduced the level of stress in my body. While my circumstances haven’t changed, my body is no longer held hostage by stress. Thanks Jennifer! Thanks VA for helping our female veterans!”
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 12:30:34 +0000
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