FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The year 2020 is in our rear-view mirror, and many of us are now considering changing parts of our lives for the new year.
Whether it is getting into shape physically or financially, becoming more resilient, letting go of grudges, picking up a good book to read more often or quitting a tobacco habit for good, you may not know where to start.
So, how long does it really take to make a good habit stick? Experts say the answer is — on average — 66 days.
The greater the frequency of the habit, the quicker your body and mind will adapt and accept the habit as commonplace. The best way to change what you want changed is to start today and consistently make the effort to form the habit.
Many helpful resources are available at Fort Leonard Wood. All that is required is for you to make contact with the appropriate agency to start your path to success:
Financial Readiness
Financial Readiness offers training and one-on-one sessions on topics such as budgeting and money management, credit and debt management, home and auto purchases, identity theft and consumer awareness, intervention with creditors, permanent change of station moves, security clearance financial issues and Thrift Savings Plan investing. Call 573.596.2078 to get started.
Survivor Outreach Services
Survivor Outreach Services helps the families of deceased active-duty and retired service members with assistance solving issues and ensuring they can connect with the resources they need. They can also assist in ensuring service members are prepared should something happen. In addition, SOS offers resilience classes and one-on-one discussions. Call 573.596.0195 for more information.
The R2 Performance Center
Fort Leonard Wood’s Ready and Resilient Performance Center offers world-class positive psychology and performance enhancement training. Service members, their families and Department of Defense civilians can learn techniques to maintain motivation while setting realistic and achievable goals. Call 573.563.4174 to learn more.
Nutrition Care Division
If you are looking for guidance with overall nutrition, weight management, physical performance or specific dietary needs, call General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital’s Nutrition Care Division at 573.596.1762 to make an appointment with a registered dietitian. No referrals are needed.
Army Wellness Center
The Army Wellness Center offers a variety of programs, including body composition assessment, metabolic analysis, health coaching, exercise prescription, physical fitness assessment, stress management and general wellness classes. Call 573.596.9677 to make an appointment. No referrals are needed.
New Parenting Support Program
The New Parenting Support Program provides one-on-one help with education, support and resources for parents, prenatal through the youngest child’s third birthday. The program also offers Bundles of Joy, a six-week class for expectant parents. Call 573.596.2936 for more information.
The Religious Support Office
The Religious Support Office offers free, confidential marriage and family counseling as well as individual therapy to enhance relations with yourself and others. The RSO offers religious education by a professional religious educator to better understand one’s religious beliefs. For more information — or, if you just need someone to talk to — call 573.596.2127, 573.596.2695 or 573.596.0089.
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program is a free, confidential service for all civilian members of the community (DoD employees, family members and retirees), offering short-term counseling and referral services. Whether you just need someone to talk to about stress in the workplace or need help finding resources for substance abuse, family or mental health challenges, the EAP can help. Call 573.596.7199 or email guy.r.caley.civ@mail.mil for more information.
Substance Abuse Disorder Clinical Care
Substance Abuse Disorder Clinical Care provides confidential counseling and rehabilitation for service members struggling with a drug or alcohol problem. Call 573.596.0522 for more information.
Employment Readiness
The Army Community Service Employment Office provides a full range of employment-related services such as resume drafting, cover letter preparation, interview techniques, job developing and other assistance to eligible patrons. Call 573.596.4950 for more information.
(Editor’s note: Fink is an accredited financial counselor and personal financial readiness specialist with Army Community Service. Each agency mentioned above contributed to this article.)
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