The Wellness Spotlight series highlights military spouses and their real world health and wellness journeys in a Facebook live series. Below is an excerpt of Kristine’s feature.
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“I can’t say that I never feel like giving up but I choose not to… During times when I’m feeling really discouraged, I try to remind myself that everything happens for a reason. It may not make sense right now, but one day you’ll look back and understand what happened was for the best.”
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AS A MILITARY SPOUSE?
I’ve only been a military spouse for a little over 2 years but it feels like longer some days. It wasn’t until we moved to Virginia that I became more involved in the military community. In California I had work friends and people I had known for some time, and maybe 2 other military spouses I was close with. I didn’t feel the need to be too involved in spouse activities, but Virginia was different. I realized I needed to embrace the milspo life a little more and I found InDependent. I immediately knew it was an organization I wanted to be a part of and now the rest is history. Through InDependent I’ve made friends with other spouses that I probably never would have met and I’ve learned so much more about the military community.
HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED ANY HIGHS OR LOWS ON YOUR WELLNESS JOURNEY?
After we moved to Virginia, I didn’t think I was stressed out and probably pushed a lot of that to the side by heavily working out and not listening to my body. So, a week after my husband left for a 3 month training I had a health incident that required me to be hospitalized in a city I didn’t know and without anyone I knew to support me. It was rough. From that point on, I began to evaluate what was going on inside my body. I started going to restorative yoga and meditating again; all these things that I used to do on a regular basis but had neglected during the stress of relocating. Once I put myself back on the path to taking care of me things got better over time.
At this point in my life, I feel pretty healthy and I’ve been good at maintaining a balance. However, I always feel there are goals in my life I’m working towards and I’m always learning more things. One of my goals for the upcoming year is to start a vegetable garden (again!). I’ve been trying to figure out Virginia weather since it’s so different than growing things in California, but I think I’m going to try to plant some seeds this year.
WHAT IS ONE PERSONAL HABIT THAT CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR SUCCESS?
Lately it’s been perseverance. I can’t say that I never feel like giving up but I choose not to. Most of this came into play when I was applying for jobs and I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. During times when I’m feeling really discouraged, I try to remind myself that everything happens for a reason. It may not make sense right now, but one day you’ll look back and understand what happened was for the best.
What is your FAVORITE PIECE OF FITNESS EQUIPMENT?
I have four that I would recommend!
I can’t live without are my yoga strap and a regular tennis ball. The yoga strap is great for stretching and getting deeper into yoga poses. I’ve recently taken a couple of workshops on myofascial release techniques and a tennis ball is a basic piece of equipment that can be used for those exercises. If I incorporate these into my stretching regimen at least 3 times a week I notice a big difference in how relaxed my body feels.
For earbuds, I love my Yurbuds. I was skeptical at first about them staying in even with sweat (and I can sweat a lot), but they’ve stayed in through everything, including rain and sweat.
For fitness dog owners who like to take their dog hiking or on long walks, I love the AutoPupCup. It’s convenient, portable, and comes in different colors & sizes. Gatsby loves his!
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“I’ve recently taken a couple of workshops on myofascial release techniques and a tennis ball is a basic piece of equipment that can be used for those exercises.”
WHAT IS A HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY?
This is going to seem really basic, but I love PopSugar Fitness and YouTube channels like SaraBethYoga. I use online exercise videos all the time. I subscribe to different YouTube channels and then I have this whole variety of workouts to choose from based on what kind of exercise I’m in the mood for.
Another thing is the Headspace App. If you’re new to meditating, this is a great app to start with. It has various topics and you can choose how long you want to meditate. *Find it FREE here through Blue Star Families!*
IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND a BOOK and podcast TO MILITARY SPOUSES, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is a great story about love, friends, and the journey of life. It’s not based on real events or a personal growth book, but it deals with themes that we all encounter in life. Sometimes I just like reading a good book! You will laugh, cry, and thoroughly enjoy this book.
Top 3 podcasts recently that are entertaining and/or you want to learn things: Ask Me Another (great for long drives such as when PCSing), Wanderlust Speakeasy Podcast (short but some great information), and The RobCast (for when you’re feeling more of a personal growth mood).
(Purchases using the links above will help InDependent cover administrative costs for our programs at no extra cost to you!)
ABOUT Kristine geraghty
Kristine is a native Californian currently living in Norfolk, Virginia with her husband and our miniature dachshund named Gatsby. She works at a local private high school as an English teacher and general studies coordinator. In addition, Kristine is the Community Ambassador for the Hampton Roads chapter of InDependent. She’s into all types of alternative and holistic medicines and loves learning about natural ways to prevent disease and heal the body. For exercise, she enjoys yoga and running, and will be starting her yoga teacher training course in the Fall.
CONNECT WITH kristine
Instagram: @gingerkris | Email: kris.geraghty@gmail.com
