The deployment phase is often challenging for couples because they need to deal with various issues that may arise during this time. One of the main concerns involves maintaining intimacy while one partner stays back home. There are different ways through which partners can adapt strategies to sustain intimacy during deployments, and these include the following:
1. Video chatting is an excellent way of communicating with your partner who is away on deployment. By setting up video calls between you and your spouse, you will get to see each other, chat, laugh, tell jokes, share experiences, etc. This helps keep the spark alive and makes it feel like you are together even when apart.
2. Writing love letters or sending emails is another strategy for keeping the romance alive. You can send sweet messages or notes expressing how much you miss them, what you are doing, and plans for when they return. The idea behind this approach is that you create a memory bank that you can both refer to when you reunite after deployment.
3. Sharing pictures and videos is another way of sustaining intimacy during deployment. Sending photos and videos of yourself and family members will help build trust in your relationship, making your partner feel closer to home despite being far away from you.
4. Maintaining contact with friends and family is also essential as it gives you something to talk about during conversations with your deployed partner. It creates opportunities for bonding over shared interests and memories.
5. Having regular phone dates is crucial in keeping the connection strong between you and your partner. Set aside specific times every week or month where you call each other without interruptions so that you can catch up on news, events, and other things going on in each other's lives.
6. Planning ahead for reunions is another strategy for maintaining intimacy during deployments. Ensure that you plan reunions well in advance so that you don't leave out important details or forget any important moments between you two. Plan activities such as dinners, movies, walks, hikes, visits to parks, etc., to help rekindle the spark in your relationship.
7. Establishing healthy communication habits is vital in sustaining intimacy during deployment. This means setting boundaries on what information to share or not share and how often to check-in with one another. You should also learn to be mindful of each other's emotional needs while apart to prevent misunderstandings later.
8. Developing new routines together is another approach towards maintaining intimacy when a partner goes on deployment. Take time to enjoy hobbies and activities that bring you closer together, like cooking meals, working out, watching TV shows, reading books, etc. The idea behind this is that you get to spend quality time together even when physically apart.
9. Engaging in mutual support networks is also a great way of sustaining intimacy during deployments. Joining online communities or support groups for military families allows you both to connect with others who understand your situation better than most people would. It also provides an opportunity for sharing experiences and learning from each other's mistakes.
10. Lastly, being patient and understanding is essential in sustaining intimacy during deployments. Remember that life is full of challenges, and things may take some time to get back to normal after deployment. Do not rush into making decisions about moving forward in your relationship without consultation first; instead, take it slow and allow yourself enough time to heal from all that has happened during this period.
How do partners adapt strategies to sustain intimacy during deployments?
Sustaining intimacy can be challenging for military couples who are deployed due to various factors such as time apart, limited communication methods, changing roles and responsibilities, and potential fears or anxieties related to their partner's safety. Partners may experience feelings of loneliness, longing, disconnection, and uncertainty, which can lead them to adopt specific coping mechanisms to maintain emotional closeness and support each other.