Airmen learn to bounce back: Resiliency

  • Published
  • By Senior Airmen Jenay Randolph
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  "Are you going to let something out of your control, control you?" asked Chief Master Sgt. Robin Brooks, 6th Medical Group superintendent and resiliency instructor, during a resiliency training held Dec. 12, 2013 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Currently, resiliency is a topic of major importance throughout the Air Force. It teaches Airmen how to cope with unexpected situations that could arise in their lives whether it's professional or personal. It provides the skill sets that have been deemed helpful during those times of struggle.

"Experiences in life are our best teacher of resilience," explained Brooks. "This training just makes you aware of easier everyday practices that you could use to help you with those difficult life choices."

We wonder why resiliency is so important. Being resilient can improve performance, health, teamwork and leadership, which are the key components that make for better Airmen and a stronger Air Force.

During the training, the focus was on what is now known as the four domains of comprehensive Airmen fitness, which are physical, mental, social, and spiritual. Each domain is broken down into skill sets that aid in their improvement.

Airmen's physical well-being is linked strongly to our resilience and emotional well-being. This domain consists of nutrition, sleep, and supplements.

As a result of being physically healthy, mental wellness improves greatly. Tools discussed to assist in mental stability is counting your blessings, balancing your thinking, and cultivating your beliefs and thoughts. The combination of good mental and physical health, promotes the wellness of both your social and spiritual domains.

Your social and spiritual are the domains that play a major role in your work stations. They assist you in handling interpersonal conflict correctly.

How you respond to the experiences in your life and the choices you make are completely yours. Resiliency is about making smart choices and using the tools given to overcome these obstacles.

For more information contact Tech Sgt. Jazmin Rodriguez, NCO in charge of the MacDill Area Resiliency Center at 813-828-9073.