ANZAC Day can bring pride, connection, reflection, and for many veterans, a sudden emotional crash in the days that follow. When the ceremonies end and the crowds disperse, it’s not uncommon to feel off. Flat. Disconnected. Sometimes angry. Sometimes numb.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And more importantly, there’s nothing wrong with you. This kind of emotional response is normal. It’s your nervous system doing its job. And there are practical, proven ways to steady yourself again.
Veteran Mindfulness Australia (VMA) supports veterans and their families to care for their mental health, not just on days of significance, but every single day. Below are five things we recommend for managing mental health after ANZAC Day – along with how VMA can support each one.
1. Take Time to Process, Not Just Perform
ANZAC Day involves standing tall, pushing emotions down, and moving through public ritual. But what happens after the last post?
Unprocessed emotion can build up, and without a release valve, it often turns into frustration, withdrawal, or overwhelm.
What helps:
Talking to someone trained to listen. Not to diagnose. Not to “fix.” Just to help you make sense of it all.
What VMA offers:
Weekly 1:1 mental health check-ins with trained coaches who understand the veteran experience and know how to hold space without pressure.
ANZAC Day RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March at Australian War Memorial Canberra 2025.
Photograph taken by David Whittaker
AWM25.PR.040
2. Reintroduce Structure (Even If You Don’t Feel Like It)
It’s easy to fall into a slump after big emotional events. The key is not to overcorrect with intensity, but to return to a steady rhythm.
Wake up at the same time. Prep one simple meal. Take a walk. The point isn’t productivity – it’s stability.
What helps:
Small wins that anchor you to the day.
What VMA offers:
Personalised guidance through our platform to help build sustainable habits, restore your sleep routine, and stay accountable, without judgment.
3. Support Doesn’t Always Mean Talking
You don’t always need to sit down and open up to feel better. Sometimes, what you need is silence, space, and a few tools to regulate your body and mind.
What helps:
Breathing practices. Sleep support. Techniques that calm your nervous system.
What VMA offers:
All members get free access to the Calm app – the world’s most trusted tool for sleep, stress relief, and mindfulness. Whether it’s 5 minutes before bed or a guided walk, it’s support you can use in your own way.
4. Understand What Your Brain Is Trying to Do
A short fuse. Trouble relaxing. Feeling distant from your family. These are not moral failings. They are signs your system is still operating in survival mode.
What helps:
Understanding that these reactions are adaptive, and learning how to gently bring the volume down.
What VMA offers:
Professional support that meets you where you’re at. No labels. Just tools that make life feel more manageable.
5. Healing Happens in the Quiet Moments
ANZAC Day comes with national recognition. But the days that follow are just as important – maybe more. This is where recovery starts. This is where mental fitness is built.
What helps:
Ongoing support. Small, consistent actions. Knowing you’re not alone.
What VMA offers:
A full support platform, created for veterans, offering check-ins, coaching, self-regulation tools, and connection. Not just on hard days. Always.
Final Thoughts
If you’re feeling the ripple effects of ANZAC Day, you’re not broken. You’re human. And there are simple, meaningful steps you can take to care for your mind.
You don’t need to commit to anything today. Just start with information. Start by noticing. And when you’re ready, know that Veteran Mindfulness Australia is here.
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