The tempo of military operations can contribute to fatigue and burnout. Long work periods, disrupted sleep, high-stakes decisions, time away from home, and repeated operational changes can deplete your emotional, physical, and cognitive resources over time.
Recovery typically does not happen automatically when an operation or deployment ends. It requires intentional choices that help you refuel your emotional, physical, and cognitive tanks. Deliberate engagement with evidence-based recovery strategies can help you maximize recovery after high-tempo operations.
HPRC created this worksheet to help you select practical, evidence-based recovery strategies across Total Force Fitness domains. Use it to identify the actions that fit your current schedule and needs, whether you are taking a short operational pause, transitioning home, or rebuilding after a demanding period.
Choose a few strategies to begin with, put them into practice consistently, and use recovery time to press the reset button and refuel your tank.
Published on: August 24, 2026
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