TOP STORY>>Get out, get involved: Managing social stress

By Senior Airman Kaylee Clark
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Leaving the comforts of home behind and arriving at your first duty station can send one’s stress through the roof. You may not know anyone at work or anyone in your living quarters, and you’re still learning where places are around base. You may even get lost on your way to work.

A couple of ways new Airmen can lower their stress level is by getting out of the dorms, experiencing activities and events in the local area and getting to know new people. One of the easiest ways to meet people is to take a few steps down the halls of your dorm and into the dayroom. Most of the dayrooms have televisions or pool tables.

The 19th Force Support Squadron here offers many avenues to get out and play with a wide range of fitness classes, bowling lanes, tennis courts and other sporting activities. If you enjoy sports and competition join your squadron’s intramural sports team. There are sports to play all year round.

Outdoor recreation sponsors off-base trips for single Airmen and most of them are free. The Outdoor Adventure Program plans many exciting trips to areas off base. The trips include but are not limited to: canoeing, kayaking, fishing, dinner cruises, pontoon boat rides, rock climbing and mountain biking.

Free food and video games may be your route to meeting other Airmen. Crossroads Café offers free dinners on Fridays and has video games, movies and music equipment for Airmen to use at their leisure.

You can always ask your supervisor or your first sergeant about volunteer opportunities. Finding a group that spends their time putting hours back into the community and helping others is an awesome way to learn about your new community.

If you take the time to talk with other Airmen and get out of your dorm room, you will quickly find there are others who not only have the same challenge of learning the ropes of being stationed at a new base, but many have the same interests and hobbies as you.

Find more details and contact information at www.littlerock.af.mil or at www.rockinattherock.com.