When military personnel are deployed for an extended period of time, their relationships back home can be strained due to distance and lack of communication. This is especially true for those who are parents or partners. The stress of deployment can also have negative effects on both the person's mental health and physical wellbeing.
There are ways that individuals can maintain their emotional connection and attachment security while they are away from home. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your relationship remains strong even when you are apart.
Tips for Maintaining Attachment Security
1) Stay Connected - Keeping in touch with loved ones through phone calls, letters, video chats, or social media can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. It also allows both parties to share updates about what is going on in their lives and provides a sense of continuity during this difficult time.
2) Practice Active Listening - When talking to your partner or children, try to really listen to what they say and respond thoughtfully. Show them that you value their opinions and care about what matters to them.
3) Be Flexible - Understand that things may change during deployments and be willing to adapt to new routines and schedules as needed. Remember that everyone needs some space and time alone sometimes.
4) Find Support - Reach out to friends, family members, therapists, or support groups for additional help if needed. Seeking professional assistance can provide valuable insight into how best to cope with separation anxiety and other challenges associated with deployment.
5) Take Care of Yourself - Make sure you take care of yourself physically and emotionally during this period by eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. This will help improve mood levels and overall wellbeing which will benefit all aspects of life including relationships at home.
Building Relational Resilience
6) Set Boundaries - Define clear boundaries around communication between partners while one person is away so there are no misunderstandings later on down the line when reconnecting upon return from deployment. Discuss expectations regarding frequency and content of communications before leaving so both individuals feel comfortable setting realistic limits throughout the process.
7) Plan Ahead - Have plans in place for when you'll see each other again once the deployment has ended such as vacation trips or special events so anticipated reunions don't come as a surprise later on down the road. This helps manage expectations and ensures smooth transitions back into normal daily living together again post-deployment.
8) Practice Forgiveness - No matter what happens during deployments, remember that forgiveness is key towards building stronger bonds within relationships afterward. Try not to hold grudges but instead focus on moving forward together towards common goals like family time or shared hobbies/interests instead of dwelling on past disagreements or resentments.
9) Find New Interests Together - Spending quality time doing activities you both enjoy can strengthen your bond even if apart physically due to military service requirements; try learning new things together via video chat sessions or online classes that allow for hands-on participation despite distance separating you two individuals temporarily.
10) Be Patient - Remember that sometimes it takes time for relationships to heal after extended separations caused by long deployments but with patience and dedication things will eventually get better overtime given enough effort invested into maintaining connection despite physical barriers preventing direct interaction between partners at present moment in time.
Extended separation due to military deployments can cause difficulties in attachment security and relational resilience but taking steps to stay connected while apart can help mitigate some of these challenges associated with being away from home base stations for an extended period of time without much contact with loved ones back home who are affected most directly through this process often times resulting from sacrificial choices made necessary due to duty calls requiring extensive travel abroad away from usual routines back home where individuals thrive best when surrounded by familiar faces daily basis allowing them opportunities interact meaningfully without need for special arrangements outside norms set out ahead of departure date(s).
How does extended separation during deployments impact attachment security and relational resilience?
The psychological effects of prolonged deployment on military personnel can have a significant impact on their relationships with loved ones at home, especially in terms of attachment security and relational resilience. Military members may experience feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, isolation, and grief when they are away from their families for long periods.