Adapting to civilian life after service can be challenging for veterans. Starting a new job and learning to live with prevalent conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder can take a toll on retired servicemembers if they have not found ways to alleviate stress and anxiety.

Taking up new hobbies is the perfect way for veterans to relax and make the transition a little bit easier on themselves. Here are a few therapeutic activities to try upon returning from deployment.

1. Fishing
According to Army Times, fishing is a hobby that veterans frequently start after returning from service. Even if they are trying it for the first time, being alone or with a loved one on a tranquil body of water can serve as the stress reliever they need during times of high anxiety. Catching a fish is also a rewarding experience and even provides a fresh and tasty meal that veterans may not have received on base during deployment.

2. Reading
Nothing takes one's mind off of problems better than getting lost in a good novel. Catching up on a favorite author's series is a fun and stimulating activity. There are even books published by veterans that document their experiences while serving. Enjoying someone else's story is a great way to find a balance between staying connected with old deployment memories and successfully adapting to civilian life.

3. Hiking or camping
Taking in Mother Nature will help veterans take their minds off of their worries. Going on a wilderness hike once a week or camping every other weekend will encourage veterans to enjoy the simple aspects of life. Doing these activities alone can be very therapeutic for retired servicemembers. However, depending on their preferences, it can also be beneficial to do them with friends or family members.

4. Restarting an old hobby
People often have hobbies that they love but have to give up due to school, work or daily responsibilities. If veterans had a favorite activity before deployment, such as playing an instrument, writing or participating in a sport, getting back into it again can be rewarding. 

5. Yoga
Yoga is an ideal hobby because it keeps people in shape in a stress-free environment while encouraging them to relax and let go of their worries. This is why it is frequently used by veterans with PTSD. Servicemembers can try it on their own with guided videos or join classes at the gym. 

For a member of the military returning from the service, the idea of choosing where to live may be a bit novel. To help with the decision, Military Times released a list naming the best small, medium and large cities for veterans in the U.S.

To compile the list, Military Times reported that it considered where the cities finished in its other rankings, including universities, employers, technical colleges and law enforcement agencies. Nearly 600 cities were considered and 75 made the cut, 25 in each of the three categories. 

According to the final ranking, Virginia Beach, Virginia; Colorado Springs, Colorado; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma comprised the top five large cities in the country for veterans.

San Diego's educational opportunities were one of the main reasons that it edged out competitors, Military Times reported. Both the University of San Diego and San Diego State University made it on the list of best colleges for vets in 2015. 

"It's a very attractive climate. It's a very cosmopolitan city," said Jack Harkins, chairman of the United Veterans Council of San Diego County. "Many, many excellent colleges and universities in the area."

Veterans may also enjoy catching a baseball game in the city. Every Sunday when playing at home, the San Diego Padres wear camouflage uniforms to pay tribute to members of the armed forces, the franchise reported.  

For those who favor small-town life, Military Times recommended Glen Burnie, Maryland; Bethesda, Maryland; Ellicott City, Maryland; Camarillo, California and Yorba Linda, California Ellicot and Camarillo both boast veteran unemployment rates of under 4 percent, and in Bethesda the median income for a veteran is $97,472, the list reported. 

In a few short years, Danielle Green transitioned from the role of a successful college basketball player to an amputee learning how to perform the tasks of daily life without her dominant arm. Next month she will be recognized for her spirit, bravery and patriotism in serving her country both during and after her time with the military. 

On July 15, Green, an Army veteran, will become the second recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service. The award will be presented at next month's ESPY Awards ceremony, where the best sports moments and personalities of the year will be recognized. 

Green grew up in the South Side of Chicago and attended Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship, The Associated Press reported. After graduation she taught and coached basketball briefly before joining the Army. While serving in Iraq she lost her left arm, the result of a rocket-powered grenade attack.

According to the Army Times, Green was medically retired from the service seven months after her injury and went back to school to earn a master's degree in counseling. Today she works as a readjustment therapist in Indiana at the South Bend Veterans Center, helping other former military members adjust to life after service. 

"I think her journey has been quite amazing," said Marie Tillman, the widow of Pat Tillman. "As a college athlete she could have done a wide variety of things, and she chose to serve her country. Certainly that is right in line with how Pat lived his life and the spirit of the award."

Pat Tillman was a professional football player with the Arizona Cardinals before he left to enlist in the Army in 2002. He was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan in 2004. Green was injured a month after his death while working a security detail, AP reported. 

"Pat Tillman was an extraordinary human being," Green told the Military Times. "So I just feel honored and grateful to be part of his legacy."

Last year Afghanistan war veteran Josh Sweeney was selected as the first recipient of the Tillman Award, the Army Times reported. Sweeney is a Paralympian who played on the U.S.'s gold medal sled hockey team. 

Deployment can be a challenging time for families. It is important that spouses and children are staying in touch and communicating with their loved ones during active duty. Sending regular care packages is a great way to do this. It shows soldiers that their family members are thinking of them, which can be very comforting during deployment. 

Although sending care packages can help servicemembers reduce stress and feel more at home, you will want to send your loved one items that he or she will personally enjoy. Do not get overwhelmed by all of your choices. Instead, consider packing some of these items that are sure to make your family member smile.

1. A card
A handwritten note is an intimate way to communicate with your loved one during deployment. Have the whole family sign it and write a personal message to keep him or her up to date on what is going on at home. This also gives you the chance to make a list of the package's contents, as it is common for packages being shipped long distances to break open. If mail handlers have all of the items written down in front of them, they will know what to repack if this does happen. 

2. Snacks
While deployed servicemembers usually have plenty of food on base, their options are often limited and bland. Receiving their favorite snacks can be very exciting for them.

Containers of nonperishable foods, like pretzels, chips and nuts, make great additions to a care package. However, try to avoid plastic bags, as these tend to explode under pressure. Military.com noted that cookies are a care package snack that is frequently treasured by soldiers, as servicemembers do not receive anything like them on base. Candy and gum, with the exception of chocolate, which will melt in the heat, also make good contents. 

3. Meal enhancers
While you cannot pack home-cooked meals in your care package, providing commodities that add flavor to bland foods is a fun idea. For example, small bottles of hot sauce and barbecue sauce can spice up any meal that might be lacking taste. Flavor packets that make water taste like lemonade, strawberries or oranges can brighten up your loved one's day and make consuming fluids more enticing. This is key, as many servicemembers perform rigorous activities during the day but do not drink enough water. Be sure to place these in freezer bags to prevent them from exploding or opening while in transit.  

4. Personal care and toiletries
Active duty servicemembers often do not have access to items like shampoo, skin lotion, toothbrushes and razors on a regular basis. Sending them a few of these products can make their day-to-day duties more comfortable, especially if you choose brands that you know your loved one likes. If he or she is deployed in a country that is particularly cold, including contents like disposable hand warmers can help him or her more easily get through a day filled with outdoor activities. 

5. Sentimental materials
Although servicemembers do miss the food and personal care items they once used regularly at home, what most of them long for most is news about what is going on in their spouses' and children's lives. Throw in a few recent photographs of the family with descriptions of where you were and what was going on in each. 

If you have taken any videos of special events, or even just fun clips of the family saying hello, these can greatly enhance a care package. You can put them on a USB drive so they do not take up much room in the box. 

When soldiers come back from service, they come equipped with a number of skills and experiences that set them up well for entrepreneurial careers. However, they often lack the formal training necessary to start a small business. 

Thanks to a recent grant, a startup incubator focused on veterans wants to create a training program that would equip former members of the military to create and operate their own business in their life after service.  

The Bunker is a program run by veterans that seeks to aid other former servicemen in their entrepreneurial ventures. With a $127,000 grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation, CEO Todd Connor, a Navy veteran, wants to design a program called Bunker in a Box that will help train veterans who may never have imagined starting their own business, the Chicago Tribune reported.

According to the Tribune, Connor's idea is for the program to be a 14-week course that former servicemembers can go through with other veterans in their community. The group would meet once a week for about three hours and go through activities, videos and self-assessments that would equip them with the vocabulary and concepts to start their own entrepreneurial venture. Some of the grant will be used to create a website for the program and possibly a mobile app. 

"What I hope the real output is that whole populations of people that were not otherwise considering the idea of self-employment actually have confidence to pursue entrepreneurship as a course of action," Connor told the Tribune.

Connor expects Bunker in a Box to launch in November, the Tribune reported. 

Gary Sines may not have a real-life military career, but his commitment to the armed forces has spanned multiple decades. This fall he will be formally recognized for his efforts by a prestigious U.S. military academy. 

The West Point Association of Graduates announced on June 11 that Sines is the 2015 recipient of the Sylvanus Thayer Award. The award is the highest honor given by the association to a non-graduate and recognizes an outstanding citizen who exemplifies the West Point motto of "Duty, Honor, Country," the statement explained. Former recipients include Bob Hope, Neil Armstrong and, most recently, Condoleezza Rice. 

Sines, best known for his role as Lt. Dan in the Academy Award-winning movie "Forrest Gump," has a longstanding relationship with the military that surpasses his portrayal of the lieutenant. The Army Times reported that he is a veteran of multiple United Service Organizations tours to support troop morale and has been involved in fundraising and recruitment efforts. He is also a founding member of the Lt. Dan Band, named after the iconic character that he portrayed. The group performs at about 50 military-related events a year.  

"To be recognized with such a distinguished honor is truly a privilege and I hope that this recognition only helps to further shine a light in the continuing mission of supporting those who serve and depend our great country," Sines said in a statement.

West Point reported that Sine will receive the award on Oct. 22 at a ceremony hosted by the superintendent of West Point, Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen. 

The transition from military service to civilian life is one that can take a lot of time and effort to adapt to. This is why there are many programs emerging that focus on assisting veterans as they enter into life after service. 

Aquarium program supports veterans
According to 5News Online, one program at the Georgia Aquarium is offering retired servicemembers a unique opportunity to find some peace and serenity as they adapt to civilian life again. 

Started in 2008, the Veterans Immersion Program allows veterans to get up close and personal with thousands of rare sea creatures. The Discovery Channel explained that all retired military members are welcome to explore the 6.3 million-gallon home where some of the aquarium's most popular animals, including whale sharks and sting rays, reside. 

Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and debilitating physical injuries can take a serious toll on veterans' lives. So far, more than 1,000 veterans have taken part in the program, hoping to find the peace of mind and relaxation that have been lacking from their lives since deployment.

Unique therapy soothes deepest injuries
Susan Oglesby, the program's certified therapeutic recreation specialist, explained that the program is a unique form of therapy that takes servicemembers' minds off of their troubles and challenges them to try something outside of their comfort zones. The goal is to encourage participants to let go of their daily stresses in the midst of beautiful animals.

The key is that they are relaxing, but in an environment they cannot control, which influences them to let go of aspects of life that are causing them anxiety, added Oglesby. Simply achieving feelings of peace is something that she hopes will become a part of their memories, which they can return to during stressful situations in the future. 

Certified dive instructors enter the water with the participants after providing them with essential instructions. Although the veterans are prohibited from touching the animals, the opportunity to see them up close in their aquatic world is enough to have an effect on them. 

"It is a no-touch event," Oglesby told the Discovery Channel. "However, making eye contact with a 20-foot whale shark or a 12-foot manta ray or any other of the almost 5,000 animals is a crazy-cool interaction in itself!"

One veteran who recently tried the therapy mentioned to the news source that the experience had a comforting impact, even on his deepest injuries. The participant also noted that he saw the same reaction from those around him participating in the therapy. 

Everyone finds healing in a different way. This month, veterans in Chicago have been using art to not only heal from their service during wartime, but to share those experiences with others. 

On Friday, June 12, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago will host the CreatiVets Final Exhibition, an exhibit that will showcase the artwork of veterans. The show is a culmination of a three-week course where the participants studied different mediums of art and used these resources to express their experience, the SAIC reported.

The program was cosponsored by CreatiVets, a nonprofit that encourages veterans to use art, music and writing to find healing. After years of struggling with depression, anxiety and stress after returning from Iraq, Marine veteran Richard Casper found that playing guitar and creating with clay were his most effective forms of relief. He founded CreatiVets in the fall of 2013 to try to give other veterans the same therapy that he had found successful.

In addition to giving the veterans a therapeutic technique for expression and healing, the three-week course also connected them with others who have been through similar experiences, a form of healing in and of itself. 

"Everybody's sharing so much information on way of life and struggles that we have in common," Marine veteran Eugene Soto told DNAinfo Chicago. "It's a lot easier to work with other veterans."

Soto is working on a plaster piece about a friend who died after being wounded in Iraq, DNAinfo Chicago reported. 

"Just being there with him, and just hearing his last words, that's something that's always been with me," Soto said. 

The exhibition will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the SAIC's LeRoy Neiman Center. 

Though the number of women in the military is on the rise, many female veterans still have trouble obtaining the resources that they need once they return from service. A new campaign by the Department of Veterans Affairs aims to address that problem. 

On June 2, the VA announced a nationwide series of one-day events that will serve to raise awareness while celebrating the stories of female veterans. The events will provide an overview of the benefits and services available to women vets and provide experts to answer related questions. Staff members from the VA and local agencies that aid veterans will also be in attendance. 

The events are part of a national campaign launched by the VA in March 2015 entitled "Women Veterans: Celebrating Our Stories of Service," and will be held in St. Petersburg, Florida (June 12), San Diego, California (July 10), Houston, Texas (Aug. 7), Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota (Sept. 14) and Washington, D.C. (Sept. 22). 

"We have found that our women veterans often put the needs of others first," said Elisa Basnight, director of VA's Center for Women Veterans. "We encourage them to make themselves a priority, to learn about the benefits and services which they've earned through their dedicated service. We are bringing our experts to them, where they are." 

A report released in 2014 by the Disabled American Veterans showed that serious gender gaps existed in nearly every service provided to veterans, The Associated Press reported. 

The VA hopes that the campaign will start conversations about what can be done to better meet the needs of female veterans in the U.S. 

Helmets may soon be able to protect soldiers more effectively than ever thanks to technology currently used to keep football players safe. 

The U.S. Army awarded the University of Southern Mississippi a $4.9 million research contract for the development and testing of a helmet that will better protect U.S. soldiers, the school reported. The university's School of Polymers and High Performance Materials has previously worked on cushioning used in football helmets. 

According to The Associated Press, the liner will be a cutting-edge pneumatic cushioning system that provides better protection for soldiers against blunt force impact.    

"Southern Miss researchers have an opportunity to accelerate technology that can better protect our men and women in the military from head injuries and brain trauma," said U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi in the Southern Miss news release. "Advances in this area have the potential to be life changing for American servicemembers …" 

The current Southern Miss Pneumatic Cushioning technology used in football helmets was made through a partnership with Rawlings Sporting Goods, the university reported. The grant from the military will allow the institute to do further work to develop next-generation pneumatic cushioning that would take the lining to new levels.

According to Southern Miss, preliminary tests in unoptimized prototypes already showed a 30 percent improvement over current Army padding in ambient conditions (70 degrees Fahrenheit), and a 60 percent increase in hot temperatures (130 degrees Fahrenheit). The cushioning technology will continue to be tested over a broad temperature range to reflect the diverse environmental conditions experienced during combat.