Navy Announces Holiday Stress Navigation Campaign

MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- With the holiday season approaching, Navy officials announced the launch of its annual holiday stress navigation campaign Nov. 1. 

This year's campaign, "Thrive During the Holidays," will provide Sailors and families proactive resources to get ahead of holiday chaos while focusing on building resilience for the New Year. 

"For many of us, 'the most wonderful time of the year' is as demanding as it is joyous," said Capt. Kurt Scott, Navy resilience chief. "Our Sailors and families are operating under more stress and uncertainty than ever this year, and planning for the holidays can be overwhelming. Our annual campaign will address everything from financial preparations to maintaining diet and fitness goals, so that we can help everyone stay in the holiday spirit and position themselves to thrive in the New Year."

Navy Operational Stress Control's 2013 "Thrive During the Holidays" campaign will include collaboration between Navy's 21st Century Sailor programs and other readiness programs to offer resources on topics such as responsible alcohol use during holiday celebrations; planning and time management; budgeting; incorporating physical fitness into busy schedules; healthy eating tips; spirituality and relationship fitness; and more. 

"Our focus is helping Sailors and families proactively identify these sources of stress before things start to pile up on them, so that they can truly enjoy their holidays and do so responsibly," said Scott. "Continuing our effort to promote a sense of community, we really have something for everyone this year from families navigating the holidays with a loved one on deployment to helping Navy kids 'Track Santa.'"

Engagement with the North American Aerospace Defense Command's annual "NORAD Tracks Santa" promotion is a new initiative for the OPNAV N171 annual holiday campaign this year, part of an expanded effort to reach out to Navy kids.

The "Thrive During the Holidays" campaign will continue through early January 2014. Releases can be found on Navy Operational Stress Control's blog, www.navynavstress.com, and the Navy Suicide Prevention website, www.suicide.navy.mil. 

Follow Navy Operational Stress Control on Twitter and Facebook @NavStress for the latest updates to help you and your family "Thrive During the Holidays."