One of the most challenging aspects of a military career is the frequent relocations and deployments that can disrupt marital and family life. Military spouses face unique difficulties that civilian partners do not typically encounter, including extended periods of separation, multiple moves, and the stress of coping with their partner's combat experience. These factors can lead to feelings of isolation, resentment, and even infidelity. To maintain healthy relationships despite these pressures, couples must learn how to cope effectively with uncertainty and emotional distance. This article will explore several psychological strategies that can help military families stay connected while apart and build strong relationships when reunited.
The first strategy for building emotional closeness during long separations is regular communication. Couples should establish clear guidelines for contact, such as daily check-ins or weekly phone calls, and stick to them consistently. The frequency and timing of communication may vary depending on deployment length and mission requirements, but it is important to set expectations beforehand and adhere to them to avoid disappointment. Communication also involves active listening and empathy; military spouses should strive to understand their partner's perspective and share their own thoughts and feelings openly.
Another critical strategy is honesty and transparency. Military spouses should share their fears and concerns about deployment without sugarcoating or minimizing them. Partners should support each other in processing difficult emotions, such as anxiety, anger, and grief. Honest communication helps build trust and promotes intimacy by creating a safe space for vulnerability and authentic expression.
An additional technique is to prioritize physical affection and intimacy. Even if partners are miles apart, they can still engage in acts of love, such as holding hands, hugging, or kissing. A study found that romantic gestures, including writing sweet notes or sending care packages, helped military couples feel closer even during extended deployments. Virtual dates via video chat can also provide opportunities for connection and playfulness.
Military spouses must learn how to cope with loneliness and isolation while alone. This may involve seeking support from family members, friends, or professional counselors, practicing self-care through exercise, meditation, or creative activities, or pursuing new interests. Couples can also establish routines and rituals to structure their time and reduce stress, like watching the same TV show together or cooking meals remotely.
Maintaining an emotionally close relationship requires intentional effort and psychological strategies. Regular communication, honesty and transparency, physical affection, and self-care practices can help military families weather the challenges of unpredictable assignments and emerge stronger than ever before.
What psychological strategies allow military couples to sustain emotional closeness during unpredictable assignments?
Maintaining strong emotional bonds between military couples is essential for their mental health and wellbeing. The following strategies can help them stay emotionally close despite frequent moves and separations that are often part of military life. Firstly, military spouses should strive to maintain regular communication with each other, even when apart. This could involve phone calls, video chats, emails, or social media messages.