By Angela Caban,

Military service members make sacrifices each day for our freedom and military families constantly make sacrifices, too. As families learn to bravely handle the many challenges that deployment and the military life may bring, others are in awe at just how strong one can be out of nowhere. Stressors are constantly coming up for military families. Where does the strength and ability to cope with this stress come from? There are many different ways and things we may do to help ease the tension and stress. This month, I asked readers how they deal with deployment stress, and they answered.

“I take a lot of pictures, which is my outlet. I also workout – I was spending 7 days at the gym the weeks before he was supposed to deploy.”

~Spring U.S. Army Spouse

“I take cooking classes and buy cookbooks; I try a new recipe whenever I’m having a stressful day. The harder the recipe the more accomplished I feel when it’s all said and done.”

~Marissa U.S.  Air Force Spouse

“I cook; try new recipes and new ingredients. I also started working out in which I realized the more stressed out I am the harder I work out and then at the end I feel so much better. We are getting ready for our first deployment.”

~Alexis U.S. Army National Guard

“I definitely don’t cope as well as I would like…not sure any of us do! To deal with the stress, I work out, hold monthly “girls night in” dinners at my house (started this tradition to deal with college stress and maintained it), and finally (and perhaps most importantly), I allow myself to have the occasional meltdown or crying jag without feeling guilty. I think we all need that sometimes and should not feel guilty or weak because of it!”

~Chrissy U.S. Air Force Spouse

“I have a problem, a craft problem that is. Whenever I’m feeling stressed or just have things on my mind I like to craft. Making wooden letters for friends babies is my favorite. There is no way you can be upset or stressed while making a present for something so sweet and innocent.”

~Taylor U.S. Marine Spouse

“I like to get on to Yahoo or Facebook and talk with my family and friends back home. And take a short road trip to see them during the holidays.”

~LeAnn U.S. Army Spouse

“Being a gamer geek, whenever I get stressed, I tend to take it out on monsters in PC games, or I talk to my friends online.”

~Karley U.S. Army Reserve Spouse

For more on Angela Caban, visit her website at www.angelacaban.com.

Join me and other military spouses on my Facebook, Twitter or MySpace fan page.