Supporting the Military Community’s Rest and Recovery

Sleep stands as a fundamental pillar of health, affecting every aspect of life—from mental clarity and emotional resilience to physical recovery and immune function. For Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their loved ones, quality sleep often proves particularly elusive due to the unique demands and experiences of military life. This National Sleep Awareness Week offers an opportunity to understand these challenges and support better rest within the military community.

The Military Sleep Challenge

Military service members face distinct sleep obstacles:

• Irregular schedules during deployment or training exercises
• Hypervigilance that persists long after returning home
• Combat-related stress and trauma manifesting as nightmares or insomnia
• Difficult adjustment periods when transitioning between military and civilian life

For Veterans, these challenges continue for years after service, often compounded by service-related conditions like PTSD, chronic pain, or TBI (traumatic brain injury).

Impact on Military Families

Sleep difficulties experienced by service members rarely affect them alone. Partners, children, and other family members often find their own sleep disrupted through:

• Anxiety during deployments
• Adjustment struggles with changing routines during returns
• Secondary stress from supporting a loved one with sleep issues
• Adaptation challenges to the unique schedule demands of military life

Steps Toward Better Sleep

For Service Members and Veterans:

• Establish consistent sleep and wake times when possible
• Create a wind-down routine that signals to the body it’s time to rest
• Speak with military healthcare providers about sleep concerns
• Connect with VA resources specifically designed for sleep issues

For Family Members and Friends:

• Recognize that sleep difficulties are common and often not a choice
• Create a home environment conducive to good sleep (quiet, dark, cool)
• Practice patience during adjustment periods and transitions
• Encourage seeking help when sleep problems persist

Supporting Each Other:

• Initiate conversations about sleep health—normalize discussing it
• Recognize the signs of serious sleep deprivation in loved ones
• Learn about conditions like sleep apnea that disproportionately affect Veterans
• Advocate for accessible sleep treatment within military healthcare systems

Available Resources

The military community has access to specialized sleep support:

• VA sleep centers and sleep medicine specialists
• Military OneSource counseling services
• Mobile apps designed for Veteran sleep issues
• Peer support groups focused on recovery and wellness

Taking Action

This National Sleep Awareness Week presents an opportunity to make sleep health a priority conversation in military communities. Whether serving, having served, or loving someone who has, taking steps toward better sleep constitutes a form of self-care that benefits everyone involved.

Quality sleep isn’t a luxury—it represents essential maintenance for the body and mind. Just as military members would never neglect critical gear, the same attention must apply to the rest bodies and minds require to function optimally.

Sleep deprivation affects decision-making, emotional regulation, and physical performance—all critical aspects of military readiness and family stability. Military training emphasizes preparation and vigilance; apply those same values to sleep health.

Partners and family members play a crucial role in this mission. Creating a sleep-supportive environment, recognizing when to encourage professional help, and understanding the unique sleep challenges faced by service members transforms family members into essential allies in the battle for better rest.

Many Veterans report that sleep problems rank among their most persistent challenges after service. Addressing these issues head-on requires the same courage applied in military service—acknowledging the problem, seeking appropriate support, and committing to improvement.

National Sleep Awareness Week offers the perfect opportunity to start these conversations. Ask direct questions: “How has your sleep been lately?” “What helps you sleep better?” “Have you considered talking to someone about your sleep troubles?” These simple inquiries open doors to meaningful support.

The military teaches the importance of looking out for fellow service members. Extend this principle to sleep health by checking in with battle buddies, recognizing signs of fatigue, and encouraging proactive sleep management as part of overall health maintenance.

Quality sleep serves as a foundation for resilience, enhances health, and honors the commitment to readiness that defines the military ethos. By supporting each other’s journey toward better sleep, military communities strengthen the bonds that already connect them through service and sacrifice.