VA Wellness Column Encourages Veterans to Ease Up on Tight Schedules to Reduce Stress

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has published the 341st installment of its Live Whole Health series, which advises veterans to loosen their grip on daily schedules to manage stress. The November 2, 2026, article was written by Marc Castellani, Ph.D., Whole Health Education Program Lead for Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation.

According to the VA, trying to make life fit a strict schedule can lead to frustration and stress. The article says everyday problems, such as construction delays or long checkout lines, can raise blood pressure and tighten muscles. It adds that people may feel stressed by things that are not really a threat.

The VA suggests that people who feel behind remember that not everything on a to-do list has to get done. It recommends stress-management techniques to return to the present moment, including paced breathing, simple movement or stretching, and listening to a favorite song. The article includes an 8-minute paced breathing practice and says mindfulness can help people slow down and appreciate each moment.

The VA also noted that veterans in crisis, or people concerned about one, can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/706