Emotional resilience refers to an individual's ability to cope with stressful situations without letting them negatively impact their mental health. Building this skill can be particularly beneficial for soldiers in combat who must deal with intense levels of stress and trauma.
Research suggests that emotional resilience may also play a role in how people manage relationships outside of battle.
In order to build emotional resilience, soldiers are often trained to regulate their emotions through techniques such as mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises. These skills can help individuals better handle difficult situations and maintain a calm demeanor even when facing adversity.
These same skills can also translate into better relationship management at home.
Couples who practice mindfulness together may find it easier to communicate effectively during conflict and empathize with one another's perspectives.
Those who have developed strong emotional resilience through military training may be less likely to react impulsively in high-stress situations, which can lead to healthier communication patterns overall.
There are also some drawbacks to building emotional resilience in combat. Some argue that this skill can create a sense of detachment from emotions, leading to difficulty forming close bonds with others or experiencing intimacy in relationships. It can also contribute to a "fight-or-flight" mentality in interpersonal interactions, where individuals may respond to conflict by becoming aggressive or withdrawing rather than engaging in constructive dialogue. This can strain relationships and create tension between partners.
Building emotional resilience in combat can certainly translate into relational resilience at home, but it is important for individuals to balance this skill with other relationship-building behaviors like active listening and empathy. By doing so, they can create stronger, more fulfilling relationships that support both themselves and their loved ones.
How does emotional resilience built in combat translate into relational resilience—or relational strain—at home?
Emotional resilience refers to an individual's ability to withstand and overcome stressful or traumatic situations without becoming overwhelmed or breaking down mentally. Building emotional resilience can be beneficial for veterans who have experienced trauma during their time of service as it helps them cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions associated with military life.