One of the most significant challenges that face couples who are apart due to military deployment is maintaining emotional connection and sexual fulfillment. When one partner is away from home for extended periods of time, it can be difficult to stay connected and keep the spark alive in the relationship.
There are several strategies that can help couples achieve sustained emotional attunement, intimacy, and sexual satisfaction even when they are separated.
Couples should establish regular communication channels to stay in touch. This could include video calls, phone calls, text messages, emails, letters, or social media posts. These methods allow couples to share their thoughts and feelings daily, keeping them connected and aware of each other's lives. It also helps create an atmosphere of closeness and familiarity, which can be particularly important during stressful times.
Couples may find it helpful to set aside specific times for talking, such as weekly check-ins or regularly scheduled dates.
Couples should explore new ways to express love and affection remotely. This could involve sending care packages, writing love notes, leaving voicemails, sharing pictures and videos, or engaging in virtual activities together.
Couples could play online games, watch movies simultaneously, or cook together over Zoom. These activities allow couples to experience shared experiences and build emotional bonds while they're apart.
Couples should focus on self-care and prioritize their mental health. Deployment can be emotionally taxing for both partners, so taking care of oneself through exercise, relaxation techniques, meditation, or therapy can help maintain emotional well-being. Similarly, couples may want to consider setting boundaries around how much time they spend communicating and how often they talk to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the distance.
Fourth, couples should make plans for when they reunite after deployment. This could include creating a list of activities to do together, discussing expectations and needs, and establishing a routine that works for both partners. This helps to build anticipation and excitement for the reunion and ensures that both partners feel comfortable and supported upon returning home.
Couples should continue to practice intimacy and sexual fulfillment when apart. While this may not always be possible, there are ways to stay connected sexually, including engaging in masturbation, using sex toys, or exploring virtual reality technology. Couples may also find it helpful to have open conversations about their desires and fantasies to ensure mutual understanding and satisfaction.
Sustaining emotional attunement, intimacy, and sexual satisfaction during high-risk deployments requires effort and creativity from both partners. By utilizing these strategies, couples can navigate the challenges of separation and come back stronger than ever.
What strategies allow for sustained emotional attunement, intimacy, and sexual satisfaction during high-risk deployments?
According to researchers, several factors can help maintain emotional attunement, intimacy, and sexual satisfaction during high-risk deployments. These include effective communication skills, openness to discussing difficult topics, active listening, regular check-ins with loved ones, setting aside time for physical and emotional connection, establishing healthy boundaries, practicing self-care, seeking professional help if necessary, and prioritizing mental health.