how your mental well-being will help you through the enlistment process

Why do some people glide through the different phases of the enlistment process while others crumble under stress? Is it a reflection of the person's character? While it may be true that some people are better suited for high-stress roles, mental well-being also impacts your ability during the enlistment process. ​As part of your preparation, consider the following three focus areas to keep you mentally well:

self awareness

Self-awareness plays a significant role in our mental and emotional endurance. Unfortunately, we don't train the mind as much as our physical self-awareness. Consider your physical limits and 'how' you know where they lay. You know by how you feel whether you will have a 'good' or 'bad' day at the gym. But do you have the same level of awareness with your mental ability? With low self-awareness, you may find yourself in an interview and unable to think or speak clearly because of overwhelming anxiety. However, with some self-awareness, you may catch yourself speeding up your words or feel your shallow breathing before you seize up completely. When you have this awareness, you can consciously take a deep breath and slow yourself down, averting the potential of freezing mid-interview.

self confidence and belief

During the enlistment process, your self-confidence and belief are assessed through your ability to talk about your positive attributes. People with low self-belief have difficulty speaking confidently about themselves. Your interviewer will know that this will translate into your ability to perform and make decisions under duress. Thus, as part of your mental wellness plan, take time to improve your self-confidence. An excellent exercise for improving confidence is to fill a page with all your attributes and strengths. You will find that the more you write, the easier it gets, and as it gets easier, this is your signal that you are flipping the 'confidence switch' in your mind to be in your favour.

self care

​A healthy lifestyle impacts our mental well-being as much as our physical well-being. Ensure you get enough sleep, not just the night before you have an interview or test but in the weeks leading up to it. Every hour of sleep you miss makes a difference, and they say that the stress of missed sleep on the body and mind is never completely recovered. Your diet is also vastly important. What is good for your body is generally good for your mind. Eating heavy meals right before an interview or test is not good. Your body will be concentrating a great deal of energy towards digesting the food instead of sending it to your brain so you can intelligently respond to questions! On the flip side, starving yourself is also not a good idea. Your brain needs adequate nutrients and calories to function. Instead, eat well in the days leading up to your interview or test and then have a light meal or snack a couple of hours before.

conclusion

Finally, be mindful of who is in your orbit and how they make you feel. As much as you can, surround yourself with people who believe in you and your ability to succeed. Suppose you have someone constantly telling you that you can't do something. In that case, it is challenging to keep the idea from taking root in your subconscious. Keep in mind that often the loved one making challenging statements does not realise the negative effect they are having. Clear communication of how you are feeling will help foster a supportive environment.

If you are seeking an exclusive community to surround yourself with people who understand and support your ambitions of serving in uniform then don't hesitate to get in touch with the TBG Family here.