There are three main ways that intimate practices can help people to reintegrate into non-military social life: building personal connections, regaining trust in others, and restoring emotional balance. These effects may be achieved through multiple specific activities such as kissing, cuddling, hugging, making love, sharing stories, eating together, holding hands, talking about feelings, etc. First of all, touching and being touched have been found to increase oxytocin levels and therefore promote feelings of closeness and attachment between individuals. This effect is particularly important for veterans who often experience isolation from family members due to deployment stress. Second, engaging in physical contact allows people to regain their confidence in interpersonal communication skills while also providing them with opportunities to learn new ones.
They may start communicating more openly about their sexual desires after having engaged in sex with someone they trust or admire. Third, intimate practices can help veterans restore their sense of belonging to society by helping them understand how relationships work outside the military context. They become aware of different roles within romantic partnerships, develop stronger empathy towards their partner's needs and wishes, and recognize what behaviors will be considered appropriate or acceptable in civilian life.
Research suggests that sexual activity can lower anxiety levels and improve overall wellbeing; thus, it helps veterans feel less lonely and depressed when returning home from deployment.
It should be noted that not everyone responds similarly to intimacy and some veterans might find it difficult to establish meaningful relationships even with their spouse/partner due to psychological trauma caused during combat experiences.
Intimate practices can play an essential role in reintegrating into non-military social life but require careful planning and execution if they are to achieve positive outcomes.
How do intimate practices support reintegration into non-military social life?
In today's society, there are numerous factors that can affect one's ability to reintegrate into civilian life after military service. Intimate practices, such as romantic relationships and sexual encounters, can play an important role in this process. These activities provide individuals with opportunities to connect with others on an emotional level and form close bonds that may be difficult to find in other areas of life.