In today's world, it is common for military personnel to be deployed away from their families and loved ones for extended periods of time. While deployments can be necessary for protecting national security and promoting peacekeeping efforts around the globe, they often create challenges for relationships between partners. Non-physical forms of intimacy can play an important role in maintaining relational satisfaction during deployment, providing couples with a way to stay connected even when physical contact is limited. This essay will explore three ways that non-physical forms of intimacy can help keep couples close while apart.
Regular communication is crucial for maintaining emotional connection. Many couples find that phone calls, video chats, emails, letters, and social media messaging help them feel closer despite the physical distance. Sharing daily routines, expressing feelings, discussing hopes and dreams, and updating each other on current events all contribute to a sense of closeness and understanding. These interactions provide emotional support and reassurance that the relationship remains strong despite the absence of physical proximity.
Keeping up with shared activities is another way to maintain relational satisfaction during deployment. Couples who enjoy shared hobbies or interests may continue these activities remotely, such as playing online games together, watching movies or TV shows simultaneously, reading the same books, or participating in virtual exercise classes. These activities create a sense of continuity and familiarity, allowing couples to feel more connected despite being physically separated.
Planning for reunions can also enhance the quality of the relationship during deployment. Setting goals and expectations for future times together, whether it's a vacation or simply sharing everyday experiences, helps couples look forward to the day when they are once again united. This creates anticipation and excitement, which can be a powerful motivator for enduring the challenges of separation.
Non-physical forms of intimacy are essential for maintaining relational satisfaction during deployment. Regular communication, shared activities, and goal-setting are just some ways that military personnel can stay emotionally connected while apart from their partners. By focusing on these strategies, couples can build resilience and strengthen their relationships even when they are miles apart.
In what ways do non-physical forms of intimacy maintain relational satisfaction during deployment?
Studies have shown that non-physical forms of intimacy such as phone calls, video chats, and letters can be used to maintain relational satisfaction during deployments by providing a sense of connection and closeness between partners. These methods allow for regular communication, which can help to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation that often accompany deployments.