RAF Mildenhall spouses master resiliency, mindfulness, yoga

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brandon Esau
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

A Mindfulness and Resiliency Event, hosted by the Community Support Coordinator for RAF Mildenhall and Key Spouses was held here on Jan. 10.

The day began with a presentation on mindfulness and resiliency strategies by MRT-certified spouses, then a restorative yoga session at a yoga studio in Newmarket and finished with English tea and pastries at a tea shop.

“The mission of events like these to help spouses with resiliency and give them the opportunity to join the initiative being pushed by the Air Force for more spousal involvement,” Sweet said. “Using the same material and information provided to Airmen, we are able to allow them to focus on their mission while their spouses are provided a chance to feel more connected to their loved ones.”

Stephanie Lindner, wife of Chief Master Sgt. Jeremy Lindner of the 100th Communications Squadron, Catarina Wyatt, wife of Lt. Col. Lawrence Wyatt of the 100th Security Forces Squadron, and Ryann Paul, wife of Master Sgt. Jason Paul of the 352nd Special Operations Wing, took the lead for training during the event.

“I enjoy being able to give back to our fellow Mildenhall spouses,” Lindner said. “We all feel that we are able to help fill a void and support community members by providing this type of training.”

“We all know how difficult it is to move so much in the military,” Wyatt said. “It feels like a reset on life, but myself, Stephanie and Ryann enjoy being able to provide a relief to all the stresses that come along.”

Lindner and Wyatt are both certified Master Resiliency Trainers, while Paul is a Resilience Training Assistant, but is in the process of certification.

“Knowing that the topics we discussed not only today, but during other events, can be used in everyday life will always give me the feeling that we are truly making a different in spouses’ lives,” Paul said.

For many of the spouses, this was the first event hosted by Team Mildenhall they were able to attend that focused on increasing awareness of base resources and community communication.

“As a former military member myself, I have been able to see the other side of the military family dynamic and have a true appreciation for the great work and support my husband and all the men and women need every day to get the mission done,” said Star Smiles, wife of Tech. Sgt. Daniel Smiles of the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

According to Sweet, mindfulness and resiliency training is crucial to growing optimism, building positive relationships, confidence, and satisfaction and has physical health benefits.

“I want people to know that spouse resiliency is available for everybody,” Sweet said. “We don’t want you to feel alone, and these events are a great way to reach out to people, meet more people, and become relaxed and comfortable.”