How to Stay Active During a Stressful PCS

A PCS is more than just a move; it’s a complete upheaval of your daily life. Amid the packing boxes, travel arrangements, and endless to-do lists, it’s all too easy for physical activity to take a backseat. However, staying active during this transition is not only vital for your physical health but also for your mental well-being. It can be a grounding force in a sea of change, offering a sense of normalcy and stress relief during an otherwise chaotic time. Family spoke to military spouse Alison Bell about how she and her family ensure that they stay active amidst a stressful PCS. She is married to Marine Corps O5 Collin Bell. They are stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and have four children—Owen (14), Jack (12), Liam (10), and Reid (8).

How many times have you pcs’d?
We have moved 7 times! Started at Camp Lejeune and in order went to: Birmingham, AL, Missouri, Okinawa, Quantico, VA Beach, Hawaii.

What are the different ways you have stayed active during a move?
It’s hard to stay active during a PCS season because so much must be done. In the beginning, I would easily scratch working out o  the to-do list in favor of more pressing needs during a move. The kids were babies, and it was just easier. It’s easy to forget about ourselves and let ourselves down in the middle of high-stress seasons – to eat out more, eat poorly, or just stop doing the usual routines. But I would encourage anyone to call it what it is: letting yourself down, not showing up for yourself, and, by extension, for your family. If we can keep up things that make us feel good, like quality foods and movement, the frustrations and emotions get transferred instead of working out. I’ve found routines to be the best way to keep active – the kind of long-standing routines and habits built over months and years. Charlotte Mason said, “A habit is 10 natures,” and it’s proven true. It’s not in my nature to enjoy working out in the traditional sense -running, weights, reps, and whatnot. But I’ve built out habits over the years that make my body crave stretching and physicality. My muscles feel uneasy about them when I go 3 days without a ‘proper’ workout. (And by proper, I mean 20-30 minutes of compound movements with or without weights… I’m not a bodybuilder) So firstly, habits. Maintaining pre-existing habits is paramount. But secondly, I would say it needs to be fun. I like my workouts like I like my photo sessions: Fast, fun, and DONE.

How did the activity change as your children aged?
We’ve adjusted the activities as they’ve come along. When my oldest was one, we were doing back-to-back deployments, I biked. We spent a solid amount of money on a quality bike and double trailer that gave me the freedom to use the base trails. I could strap the kids in and just go. For hours sometimes.

Any other advice for staying active while moving?
Make it fun. If weights are fun for you, find hotels with gyms, or heck, pack an empty sandbag. Put yourself first when it comes to getting the movement in for the benefit of your whole family. Bring them along if you have to. Try to leave them behind if you can. It definitely doesn’t have to be just one way or fit into a mold. In the end, just get it done.