Change has become routine for Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). With physical and geographical changes, the mind must also be able to adapt to new styles of living.

For some, it's easy being able to see family every day and not having to worry about going out to sea. For others, feeling like their mission is less important and working outside of what they were trained for can put a damper on their spirits.

"For me, since I'm close to home, I feel like I have a more stable lifestyle and I'm happier overall," said Master-at-Arms Seaman Morgan Beebe. "I can also see others who are more depressed because there's less going on and they're far from home and they don't like the area."

Feeling disconnected can impact the mental, physical and emotional well-being of a Sailor, which can then have a negative impact on their overall mental health.

"Sleep problems are still very common, along with depression and anxiety. So that hasn't changed very much," said Cmdr. Kenneth Sausen, the ship's psychologist. "A lot of people are walking all over the ship who seem to not belong there. There's a lot of dust in the air and things are just out of place. Sometimes new Sailors leaving 'A' school have a hard time accepting they won't get the chance to work in their rate, so that can be disheartening."

The first step in combating these problems is recognizing what challenges you might face.

"It's noisier; noisier than you can ever imagine. There are lots of needle guns and ventilation; cables and wires run everywhere," said Sausen. "What we should be on the lookout for [are] issues related to drug use and maybe even living on your own for the first time."

Next is finding something positive to do with your free time.

"I try to go home a lot, but I know not everyone can do that," said Beebe. "Just having time off to go back to my room, relax and maybe play some video games, is a great way to unwind from a busy day."

There are other, more proactive steps you can take that will keep your mental health strong.

"Use your free time to develop yourself through college or exercise, or just take some 'me time'", said Sausen. "Getting enough sleep is another big thing. Having a standard bedtime and a standard wake time is really important, as is not using your phone or computer or watching TV right before you go to sleep."

The choices are all around, with Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) events, free on-base gyms and special events like tours sponsored by Naval Station Norfolk, on a regular basis.

This period in refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) may be a bigger challenge than many are used to, but knowing what's coming and what to do to stay mentally strong can turn time in the yards into a time of growth.

If you feel like your mental health could be better, help is all around.

Set up an appointment with the ship's psychologist, ship's chaplain, or visit the Fleet and Family Support Center for more information. To enjoy local events, visit George Washington's MWR office or any of the other MWR locations around Hampton Roads.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit http://www.navy.mil/.