Staying healthy during PCS season
Calling all military spouses! We’re in the thick of PCS Season right now. If you’re not moving this year, you probably moved last year or will be moving next year. If none of those are true (which is highly unlikely), then it’s definite that you know someone PCSing. There are tons of blog posts out there to help with staying organized during a PCS, how to pack, or how to not lose your mind during a PCS. (Is the latter even possible?) I’m not going to write about those things. But I am going to write about a lesser thought-of topic: your health during a PCS.
We tend to take more conscientious care of our health during cold and flu season, or when the weather changes. But for all intents and purposes, PCS Season is the fifth season of the year for military families. With that comes its own health challenges. We probably realize that taking care of our emotional health is super important. I just read a deeply true blog post about that, which you can read here. So with that amazing introduction (please go read!), we need to stay on top of our stress levels – the topic I will begin with.
Our emotional and mental health
A PCS can wreak havoc on our hearts and minds. We are leaving a place we’ve called home for the past 1-3 years, have made friends and (hopefully!) plugged into the community, know how to get around without our GPS, and maybe even love our house. Picking up and leaving (or watching a friend leave) can be really heartbreaking. Some people might say “you knew what you were getting into,” but that doesn’t mitigate emotions!
A PCS is also extremely mentally stressful, whether you’re moving a couple states away or overseas. There is so much to think about, from whether to sell certain items, what to put into storage and what to bring (for an overseas PCS), ending a house lease or selling a home, getting your house cleaned and/or fixed up, and going through the long checklist of out-processing from an installation. You also have to consider your new duty station: where you’ll live and if they allow pets, what the best schools are, where are the local amenities, and more.
This is enough to drive anyone crazy. It seems counter-intuitive to take a break amidst all that needs to be done, but it is necessary for your emotions and mental stability. Self-care looks different for each of us: it could be as simple as taking a detoxing Epsom salt bath with calming essential oils, ordering dinner instead of cooking (Zoe’s Kitchen was always one of our healthy faves!), or even getting a massage. If you have kiddos, having a babysitter watch them while you do some packing and your husband is out-processing can be a major relief!
Keep your nutrition in check
When we are busy and overstressed, we tend to let our eating habits slide. Even the healthiest eaters will “succumb” to eating out or getting convenience food in a pinch. (And PCS season offers so many “pinches.”) Like I mentioned above, choosing food from a healthier joint like Zoe’s Kitchen (not sponsored!) can be a great choice. You get the luxury and convenience of having your food made for you with minimal clean-up, yet you stay largely within your nutrition “budget.” Other relatively healthy places to choose from are Chipotle, sandwich places like McAllister’s (hold the bread!), and even burger joints when you get a lettuce wrap burger.
More and more grocery stores are also offering healthy convenience food. Vegetable “noodles” are all the rage, and places like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and some regular groceries sell them pre-made. It’s definitely more expensive than buying a whole zucchini and spiralizing it yourself, but it is quick and easy. That’s what we need during PCS season, yet also healthy! Grab a glass jar of clean pasta sauce (tomatoes, olive oil, no sugar, and no preservatives) and some ground beef – and you’ve got yourself a spaghetti dinner. You could even toss some frozen spinach into the sauce for extra nutrients.
The main point here is to choose options that are easy yet healthy. Those terms are not mutually exclusive! Since eating out at restaurants is harder on the wallet, give yourself parameters, like no more than 3 times a week during PCS season. The other 4 days of the week, plan ahead with easy family favorites using healthy convenience foods.
Move your body – not just lifting boxes!
We are naturally more physically active during PCS season. We’re running last-minute errands, moving furniture, packing boxes, and maybe even lugging items to the curb for free pick-up. But make sure to still get in some movement that will keep your mind relaxed. Take the dog or kids for a walk to the park after dinner. Lift some weights to burn off anxiety or excess stress. Take your bike for a spin (before it gets packed up!). It doesn’t have to be complicated and it certainly should not be taxing to your body. With the mental stress of a PCS, your body doesn’t need to be achy and fatigued. That will just put you at risk for catching an illness. Leave your bodybuilding or marathon aspirations for after you arrive at your new duty station and are settled in.
Keep your immune system healthy
When we’re under extra stress, our bodies are more prone to contracting an infectious illness. Long-term stress even puts our bodies at risk for developing or exacerbating chronic disease. We want to keep our immune systems strong so that if we are exposed to a pathogen, we are able to fight it off efficiently without getting sick.
One of the best ways to stay healthy is to get enough sleep. It’s not very glamorous, and you may think you have no other choice than to burn the candle at both ends. But don’t believe the lies. Sleep is your best ally during this time. Give yourself “office hours” for packing and doing PCS-related tasks. Yes, near the end you probably will have to make your bedtime a little later. (You should’ve seen me the night before our movers came for Germany!) But for the most part, make your resting time a non-negotiable.
Eating clean, anti-inflammatory, whole food will also boost your immunity. Stay away from processed sugar, processed carbs, and inflammatory fats like canola and soybean oils. Remember to take your vitamins, supplements, and any medications you’ve been prescribed. Drink plenty of filtered water and don’t drink so much caffeine that you can’t fall asleep at night. Use immune boosting aids like extra vitamin C and essential oils like On Guard or frankincense for even more protection and if someone does contract an illness. Activated charcoal can be a life-saver for food poisoning or stomach bugs.
Keep toxins to a minimum
With PCS season comes the mandate to clean your house thoroughly. Whether you’re on base, in a rental, or own your home, it must be cleaned before you leave. In some cases, the owner of a rental home will want professionals to clean the house. In other cases, you may have the choice or desire to do it yourself. This may only be convenient for those whom a PCS is upcoming and not immediately upon you – but ensure your cleaning supplies are low- or non-toxic. A simple solution of distilled water, white vinegar, and lemon essential oil will get your countertops, mirrors, and toilet seat sparkling clean. Baking soda makes a fantastic abrasive cleaner for sinks and toilet bowls.
If you are still using bleach, ammonia, and artificially-fragranced products, then a PCS is a fantastic time to ditch them. You have to throw them out before you move anyway, especially if you’re going overseas or have a cross-country move. (Movers will not pack any liquids that are open, though they will pack ones that are sealed, for the most part.) Why not upgrade your health and order the starter set from Branch Basics, and have it sent to your new destination? (They DO ship to APO!) It comes with everything you need to clean your entire home, wash your hands, AND do your laundry. Plus, it’s non-toxic and simple to use. You can get $10 off your first order if you use this link!
Keep everything in perspective
When I was getting ready to move overseas, I had a moment where it felt like I wouldn’t get everything done. In fact, I have one of those moments on camera, admitting to the lens that it wasn’t going to get done. But in fact, everything did get done! No, not everything fit in my luggage for the plane, but that simply meant shipping some stuff to our APO in boxes. (Which the military does reimburse you for, so keep the receipts!)
You will most likely feel the same way at some point (or many points). But no matter how dire it seems, it WILL get finished and you will leave your old duty station for your new one. There certainly will be glitches along the way, but for the sake of your stress levels, just roll with it the best you can. If you keep things in perspective, even having items that are lost or broken is not that big of a deal. As long as you and your family are safe throughout the entire move, that is what really matters. Things can be replaced, but people cannot be. (Of course, keep super important documents with you, like your marriage certificate and PCS orders!)
In the end, all you can do is your best. Focus on keeping your health intact, be as organized as you can but not neurotic, and go with the flow of the PCS process. It won’t last forever and before you know it, you’ll be loving your new home!