From Spirits to Strength: A New Way of Coping

For decades, alcohol was part of the culture.

It was how people bonded. How they unwound. How they made sense of the things they couldn’t talk about.

In many environments, it wasn’t just normal — it was expected.

And while it created connection, it often came at a cost. Sleep suffered. Stress stayed buried. And over time, it could quietly chip away at physical and mental health.

Today, organisations like the NZRSA and RBL openly acknowledge this legacy — recognising that while camaraderie matters, the way we support it needs to evolve

Many were taught — directly or indirectly — to push through.

Don’t show it. Don’t talk about it. Leave it at the door.

Emotional suppression became a survival skill.

But over time, it also became a barrier. A barrier to asking for help. A barrier to early support. A barrier to real recovery.

That mindset is now being challenged — with more open conversations, peer support, and permission to speak up before things reach breaking point.

Humour has always been part of the culture — and for good reason.

It builds bonds. It diffuses tension. It helps people get through the worst moments.

But sometimes, it also becomes a shield.

A way to deflect. To avoid. To keep things surface-level when something deeper is going on.

Part of modern wellbeing is learning the difference — knowing when humour is helping, and when it might be hiding something that needs attention.

There’s a noticeable shift happening.

Where people once went to the bar to decompress, many are now heading to the gym, the track, or the outdoors.

Exercise has become one of the most powerful tools available — not just for fitness, but for mental health.

It helps regulate stress, improve sleep, and lift mood. It gives people a structured outlet for pressure. And importantly, it still creates that sense of shared experience — just in a healthier way.

Peer support hasn’t gone anywhere — it’s just evolving.

Whether it’s group training, running clubs, martial arts, or structured programmes, people are finding new ways to connect that feel safer, more open, and more supportive.

These environments make it easier to talk — or not talk — without pressure.

And that matters.

Because real connection doesn’t just reduce stress. It protects against it.

Behind every person in uniform is a network of people who care about them.

Partners. Kids. Friends.

Often, they’re the first to notice when something isn’t right.

Strong relationships can provide grounding, stability, and a sense of purpose outside of service life. But they can also feel the strain — long hours, emotional fatigue, the weight that gets carried home.

That’s why supporting families is becoming part of the conversation too. Because wellbeing doesn’t sit with one person — it sits across the whole support system.

One of the biggest shifts is happening at the top.

Leaders are starting to model healthier behaviours. Conversations about stress, burnout, and mental health are becoming more normal.

Training now includes wellbeing — not as an add-on, but as something essential.

And that sends a powerful message:

Taking care of yourself isn’t weakness. It’s part of the job.

High-intensity roles keep the body in a constant state of alert.

Without proper outlets, stress builds. Sleep suffers. Emotions become harder to manage.

Exercise, routine, and connection help reset that system — bringing the body back into balance.

Not all coping is equal.

Some strategies — like alcohol or avoidance — can take the edge off in the moment, but make things harder over time.

Others — like movement, connection, and structure — actually build resilience.

That difference matters. Especially over years, not just days.

Service life is built on discipline, strength, and purpose.

The right coping strategies don’t take that away — they reinforce it.

They help people carry those values forward, even as roles change or challenges evolve.

• Physical activity – strength training, running, martial arts, outdoor challenges

• Routine – sleep, nutrition, structure outside of work

• Professional support – counselling, peer programmes, early intervention

• Community – staying connected with people who understand