In the demanding world of military service, where challenges often test the limits of both physical and mental endurance, emotional wellness stands as a pillar of strength and resilience. Emotional wellness is the capacity to effectively navigate life’s stresses, adapt to change, and confront the most trying of circumstances. This curated reading list places a spotlight on books that delve deep into the realm of emotional wellness. These carefully selected titles offer invaluable insights, strategies, and stories that can resonate with military professionals. Drawing from the wisdom of experts and the experiences of those who have faced adversity, these books can help guide you in building resilience, reducing stress, fostering quality sleep, strengthening social connections, coping with loss, and practicing mindfulness – all strategies endorsed by the National Institutes of Health as pathways to improved emotional wellness. In this reading list, we invite military professionals to embark on a journey toward greater emotional strength, equipping themselves with the tools to not only survive but thrive amidst the unique challenges they encounter.
Two years ago, Eric Greitens reconnected with a former SEAL comrade, Zach Walker, who was struggling with PTSD, heavy drinking, and a lack of purpose after returning from war. After beginning daily correspondence, Eric began drawing from his own experiences and wisdom from various sources. These have now been compiled into a timeless handbook focusing on what it takes to build resilience. This book offers practical advice on building purpose, facing life’s challenges, practicing compassion, developing vocations, seeking mentorship, finding happiness, and more, ultimately providing a profound and hopeful guide to leading flourishing lives despite adversity.
Ross Edgley, a bestselling author and renowned adventurer, has spent years studying resilience, drawing from his remarkable achievements such as swimming around Great Britain, running a marathon while pulling a 1.4-tonne car, and climbing a rope equivalent to Mount Everest’s height. In his book “The Art of Resilience,” Edgley focuses on mental strength, stoicism, and the rigorous training necessary to cultivate an unbreakable body and mindset. By sharing his own experiences and examining the practices of extreme athletes, military and fitness specialists, and psychologists, Edgley offers readers a blueprint to become more resilient, tougher, and ultimately a better human, representing a paradigm shift in our understanding of human capabilities.
Kim Colegrove shares her personal experience of losing her husband to suicide after his 30-year career in law enforcement in her book “Mindfulness for Warriors.” This book emphasizes the urgent need for effective stress relief and support for first responders who regularly face trauma and high-pressure situations. Kim advocates for meditation as a valuable resource to help first responders manage stress, regulate emotions, and improve their overall mental health. “Mindfulness for Warriors” also includes evidence-based practices, interviews with first responders, and Kim’s own heartfelt story, offering hope and guidance to those in this challenging profession and their families.
In “Sleep to Win,” Kirk R. Parsley, M.D., a former Navy SEAL and renowned health optimization consultant, shares his expertise on the often-overlooked power of sleep as a performance-enhancing tool. Dr. Parsley draws from his personal, clinical, and professional journey to become a respected sleep improvement expert, offering insights on how sleep impacts various aspects of performance. The book provides practical guidance on when, where, and how much to sleep, applicable to professionals ranging from shift workers and military personnel to athletes and stay-at-home parents, all aimed at improving performance and overall well-being while reducing health risks.
In “Social,” psychologist Matthew Lieberman explores the compelling research in social neuroscience, revealing that our innate need for social connection is as fundamental as our need for food and shelter. He argues that our brains are wired to prioritize social interactions, with our brains reacting to social pain and pleasure in a similar way to physical sensations. Lieberman also highlights that our ability to understand and connect with others is crucial for our success as a species, often leading to seemingly irrational but socially beneficial behaviors. The book suggests that embracing our social nature can lead to improved learning in schools, enhanced workplace productivity, and overall well-being, challenging the conventional approach of minimizing social distractions in these contexts.
In “It’s OK That You’re Not OK,” author Megan Devine confronts the societal tendency to treat grief as an affliction that needs to be quickly overcome. Drawing from her personal experience of witnessing the accidental drowning of her partner and her professional background as a therapist, she presents a profound perspective on grief. She challenges common misconceptions about the grieving process, emphasizing that it’s not something to be solved but a natural response to loss, and offers practical guidance for managing the challenges of grief while honoring its mystery. The book serves as a compassionate guide for those navigating grief, as well as for those seeking to support and understand loved ones in their grieving journey.
Marc Brackett, a professor at Yale University’s Child Study Center and founder of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, draws on his 25 years as an emotion scientist to offer a transformative approach to understanding and utilizing emotions for success and well-being. Inspired by his astute uncle who acknowledged his feelings of suffering, bullying, and abuse during childhood, Brackett developed RULER, a comprehensive system for emotional mastery. Through RULER, which has positively impacted numerous schools, Brackett aims to combat emotional struggles, reduce stress, and enhance academic achievement, ultimately providing a powerful tool for healthier children and adults worldwide.
“Beyond the Battlefield” is a collection of 15 authentic accounts gathered from interviews with service members spanning across different branches of the military. These narratives shed light on the trials faced in both combat and non-combat situations during their service. Alongside these personal stories, the author introduces mindfulness and meditation as valuable tools to navigate the challenges discussed in the interviews, aiming to make these practices more embraced within mainstream military culture. The book combines genuine, heartfelt storytelling with empirical data, providing a comprehensive perspective on the potential benefits of meditation and mindfulness in the context of military life.
In “Military and Mindful,” Benefsheh Verell draws upon her extensive background as a Military Police and Information Operations officer in the Army, combining it with her knowledge of mindfulness practices. She aims to educate military service members and their families about the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of yoga and meditation. The book particularly addresses the challenges faced by mothers in the military, offering guidance on balancing their careers and motherhood without experiencing guilt or stress, ultimately empowering them and other military professionals to tap into their internal strength for a more focused and positive mindset.
In “The Practice of Groundedness,” bestselling author Brad Stulberg addresses the toll of the ever-present hustle culture and the adverse effects it can have on individuals, such as exhaustion, strained relationships, and substance abuse. Stulberg introduces groundedness as a practice that prioritizes presence over relentless productivity, acknowledging that progress is not always linear and emphasizing long-term values and fulfillment over immediate gains. Drawing from modern science and ancient wisdom traditions like Buddhism and Stoicism, the book offers insights on cultivating patience, embracing vulnerability, developing self-awareness, and fostering deep community connections as a path to sustainable success and well-being.
Video Spotlight: Mindfulness in the Military
During Wisdom 2.0’s 2018 Mindfulness in American Summit, Maj Gen Piatt, Prof Amishi Jha, and Journalist Anderson Cooper discuss the importance of mindfulness in the military and how it can be leveraged by military professionals and leaders to create positive impacts within the military ranks.
Source: Wisdom 2.0 (2018 Mindfulness in America Summit)
Emotional Wellness Month is observed every October and serves as a reminder for everyone to take time to disconnect and focus on creating a healthy emotional balance by building our own emotional toolkits to better handle life’s stresses and challenges.
