Celebrating International Day of Happiness in Military and Veteran Communities

The International Day of Happiness, celebrated annually on March 20th, reminds us all to pause and consider what truly brings fulfillment into our lives. For military personnel, veterans, and their families, happiness often takes on unique dimensions shaped by experiences of service, sacrifice, and the strong bonds formed through shared challenges.

The Science of Connection

Research consistently shows that meaningful relationships are among the strongest predictors of happiness and well-being. For military communities, these connections run especially deep. The camaraderie formed in service creates lasting bonds that can be a foundation for happiness long after active duty ends.

Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of positive psychology, identifies relationships as one of the five core elements of well-being in his PERMA model (Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment). For veterans transitioning to civilian life and active-duty personnel alike, nurturing these connections provides essential emotional support.

Practical Ways to Foster Happiness Through Connection

For Active-Duty Personnel

1. Create Rituals of Connection: Establish regular check-ins with battle buddies, even when deployed or separated. Simple text messages, video calls, or shared online activities can maintain bonds crucial for mental health.
2. Practice Gratitude Together: Take time during formation or downtime to share one positive moment from the day or week. Research shows expressing gratitude boosts happiness and strengthens team cohesion.
3. Engage in Purposeful Activities Outside the Mission: Volunteer together in the local community. Service members often find profound satisfaction in continuing to serve others, even in different contexts.

For Veterans

1. Bridge Communities: Join Veteran service organizations that facilitate meaningful interaction with both fellow veterans and civilians. These spaces allow for sharing experiences with those who understand while building new connections.
2. Mentor and Be Mentored: Establish relationships with younger veterans or active-duty personnel. The wisdom exchange benefits both parties and creates purposeful connection.
3. Share Your Story Selectively: Finding safe spaces to process military experiences can be profoundly healing. Consider joining writing groups or art programs designed for veterans.

For Families

1. Develop Resilience Rituals: Create family traditions that acknowledge both the challenges and strengths of military life. Simple ceremonies before deployments or celebrations upon return can provide emotional anchors.
2. Connect with Other Military Families: Organizations like Blue Star Families or on-base family readiness groups provide invaluable support networks who understand the unique stressors of military life.
3. Practice Mindful Communication: When together, be fully present. The quality of interaction often matters more than quantity, especially during limited time between deployments.

Overcoming Barriers to Happiness

Military and Veteran communities face unique challenges to well-being, including post-traumatic stress, frequent relocations, and reintegration difficulties. Acknowledging these challenges is the first step toward addressing them.

Research published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress suggests that social support is among the strongest protective factors against PTSD and depression. Yet many Veterans report feeling disconnected upon returning to civilian life. Organizations focused on peer support and connection serve a crucial role in bridging this gap.

The Way Forward: Creating Connection Culture

Military installations and Veteran organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of deliberately fostering connection. Programs that combine physical activity with social interaction show particular promise. Whether it’s adaptive sports for wounded warriors or fitness challenges for active-duty units, these initiatives leverage the natural bonding that occurs through shared physical endeavor.

On this International Day of Happiness, the invitation to military and Veteran communities is to recognize connection as not merely a luxury but a necessity for well-being. The strength shown in service can be channeled into building and maintaining relationships that sustain joy throughout life’s challenges.

The skills developed in military service—teamwork, resilience, and commitment to something greater than oneself—provide an excellent foundation for creating happiness through connection. By intentionally nurturing these bonds and creating new ones, the military and Veteran community can continue to support each other in finding fulfillment and joy, in uniform and beyond.