Coping strategies are important for military couples who face deployment separations because they help them maintain relational stability and emotional resilience. Joint coping strategies involve both partners working together to deal with stressors such as communication breakdowns, loneliness, and financial difficulties that can arise from separation. Here are some ways that military couples can use joint coping strategies to stay connected:
1. Staying Connected - Communication is key during deployment separations. Military couples should communicate frequently through phone calls, video chats, letters, emails, or social media. This helps them feel closer despite physical distance.
2. Planning Time Together - Planning future activities together can be a great way to look forward to reunion and strengthen the relationship.
Setting goals like planning vacations, purchasing tickets to concerts, or making plans to visit family members can keep the couple motivated.
3. Sharing Daily Routines - Sharing daily routines can make the separation seem less daunting.
Cooking dinner together on video chat, watching movies together, or doing workout sessions via Skype can create a sense of connection.
4. Managing Finances - Deployment can bring added financial challenges such as paying bills while one partner is away. Having a clear plan for managing finances can reduce stress and provide security.
5. Seeking Support - Seeking support from friends and family can also help military couples cope with deployment stressors. Reaching out to others who understand their situation can give them additional perspective and emotional support.
6. Making Time for Self-Care - Self-care practices such as exercise, meditation, journaling, or therapy can boost mood and relieve stress. This will also help maintain mental health and resilience during deployment.
7. Creating Rituals - Creating rituals like reading bedtime stories to children or lighting candles before dinner can help create a sense of normalcy during deployment. These small acts can remind both partners that they are still part of each other's lives despite physical distance.
8. Using Humor - Laughter can be an effective coping mechanism for deployments. Military couples should share funny moments or jokes through communication channels to alleviate tension and improve morale.
9. Staying Grounded - Being realistic about expectations during deployment can prevent disappointment and frustration. Military couples should acknowledge the limitations of long-distance relationships and set reasonable goals for themselves. This helps them stay grounded and focused on what matters most.
10. Planning for Reunion - Military couples should discuss plans for reuniting after deployment, including where they will go and how they will spend time together. Anticipating this time can make the separation more bearable.
Joint coping strategies can help military couples manage deployment stress and maintain relational stability and emotional resilience. By following these tips, military couples can remain connected and strengthen their relationship while apart.
How do military couples employ joint coping strategies to maintain relational stability and emotional resilience during deployment?
The literature suggests that military couples employ various coping strategies to manage stressors such as long-term separation, communication difficulties, fear for their loved one's safety, anxiety about future reunion, and concerns about financial stability.