Veteran's whole health journey for wellness | va milwaukee health care | veterans affairs

Bashir took action to improve his health by joining Milwaukee VA’s “Walk a Mile or More” walking group.  What he didn’t realize, was that WAMM complements VA’s Whole Health program and that

his first step would introduce him to variety of wellness programs and a supportive network.  One of those programs is Veteran ConnecZEN(tangle). ZENTANGLE DRAWING METHOD The Zentangle 

Method is a mindfulness-based drawing activity in which participants create detailed images through repetitive structured patterns, called tangles, with intricate dots, lines and curves.  “I

saw some Zentangle tiles,” said Bashir. “I didn’t realize at the time that it was part of a program they had in the health center.” Bashir asked an occupational therapy assistant at

Milwaukee VA about the drawing, and she recommended that he give it a try to see if he liked it. Stemming from that recommendation, Bashir began to incorporate the Veteran ConnecZEN(tangle) 

class into his wellness routine. He quickly found profound mental and emotional benefits. “That’s probably the best thing that happened to me, because I really got involved right from the

start,” he said. “It's an excellent program. I mean its mind-settling, and it’s creative and most of all, it’s just a great group. There are so many people in the group that are so

talented, and you get inspiration from each other,” Bashir said. “That’s really rewarding.” Bashir explained how the wellness coaches and VA programs help him to manage the stress and

anxiety of everyday life. The Veteran ConnecZEN(tangle) classes are an instructor-led, easy-to-learn drawing method that has shown to improve overall well-being through relaxation, focus and

stress reduction.  “As a group, we meet and Julie (Till) leads us through some meditation and set ups,” he said. “Then we all do a tile, and at the end we go through what our expression was

for that particular tile.” For Bashir, who has experienced anxiety and loneliness, the creative activity became a vital tool in his whole health approach. "Zentangle allows me to focus

on the present moment," Bashir explains. "It's like a form of meditation that keeps my mind from wandering to places I'd rather it didn't go."

INTERDISCIPLINARY SUPPORT Jodi Kressin, a certified health coach was contacted by Bashir 's occupational therapist Jillian Taxman who is a liaison for Whole Health.  Taxman saw great

potential in Harold, but at the time he was very sick and in the hospital.  The two discussed Bashir’s health care plan and agreed that health coaching for Harold might be just what he

needed.  “I reached out, and Harold was agreeable to me health coaching,” said Kressin. “He began with chair yoga to build self-confidence and eventually that opened a door to more

movement.” Kressin suggested Bashir join the occupational therapy lifestyle WAMM group for socialization and continued movement.  “He did, and he excelled even more with strength goals,”

Kressin said. “Once Harold was physically stronger, he began going to social events out in the community and working on his emotional well-being.” Bashir’s patient-centered health care team

was able to guide him into new whole health experiences, that eventually led him to the Veteran ConnecZEN(tangle) class.  “Harold is a positive advocate for other Veterans to reach outside

of their comfort zone and try Whole Health classes,” said Kressin.  BEING WELL TOGETHER Engaging in creative activities like Zentangle Method drawing can reduce stress, distract from pain

and increase confidence, according to Julie Till, an occupational therapist who is a certified Zentangle teacher at the Milwaukee VA.  “I have found it certainly helps with depression and

isolation, if it is a personally meaningful activity for the Veteran,” said Till. As Bashir continues his wellness journey, he hopes to inspire others to consider all the Whole Health

programs VA has to offer, as a means of healing.  "If it can help me, it can help anyone," he said. Bashir’s confidence has grown along with his creative drawing skills. He entered

a compilation piece featuring several of his tiles into the Milwaukee VA’s Veterans Creative Arts Competition.  The entry was on display at the 2024 local art show.  This year, Bashir was

included in an group entry submitted into the 2024 National Veteran Creative Arts Competition with his Veteran ConnecZEN(tangle) classmates.  The group entry narrative read: “We are a group

of military Veterans who come together weekly to share the therapeutic experience called Zentangle. Zentangle is a type of art using repetitive simple patterns, called tangles. The results

are the creative images seen in our exhibit. Zentangle is an experience more than it is art. We inhale together then slowly exhale as we step out of the worlds around us. We find gratitude

in this place we’ve come to together, in one another, noting our personal joys, our spirits seeking peace in this, our safe place. Zentangle brings focus, clarity of mind and signs of

anxiety, depression and physical pain are minimized. This ‘tool’ increases our concentration levels and brings a sense of peace that we often struggle to achieve. Zentangle is self-soothing

and allows us to be present. Relaxation is emphasized through calm breathing and letting go of body tension. We are intentional with our pen strokes. We focus on the tangles, one line at a

time, as we leave our negative symptoms and thoughts in another place during a session. Through Zentangle a meditative state can be reached. The result may appear as an attractive piece of

art. The result for us is increased self-confidence, stress and anxiety relief, improved eye-hand coordination, and the nurturing and developing of creativity. Our group experiences a

camaraderie and minimizes loneliness through Zentangle. We are surrounded by positivity, motivation, praise and safety. There are no rules or mistakes in Zentangle. As with life - It is what

you make it.”  -The Tangle Tribe They took first place at the Zablocki VA local level and will move on to the annual national Veterans Creative Arts Festival held May 11-18, 2025 in

Indianapolis. Bashir’s Veteran ConnecZEN(tangle) participation and whole health journey reminds us that sometimes, the most effective solutions are found in the simplest of practices. WHOLE

HEALTH The Whole Health calendar is posted to the Milwaukee VA website, quarterly.  Information about Veteran ConnecZEN(tangle) and other Milwaukee VA Whole Health offerings can be found 

here.  To participate in Veteran ConnecZEN(tangle), Enrolled Veterans require a consult to Occupational Therapy. Any Veteran can learn more about Whole Health by self-registering for a

one-hour virtual or in-person Introduction to Whole Health class. Call 414-384-2000, ext. 43611 for more information.