The deployment process has far-reaching consequences for the individuals involved. Deploying soldiers must leave behind their homes, jobs, families, friends, and communities to serve their country abroad, often for extended periods of time. One aspect that can be particularly challenging is maintaining healthy sexual routines while away from home. Deployment can cause significant stress on both partners in a relationship due to changes in routine and communication patterns. This article will examine how disrupted sexual routines during military deployments affect deployed personnel psychologically and suggest ways to cope with this challenge.
Deployed personnel may experience feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, frustration, and loneliness when it comes to maintaining healthy sexual routines. When partners are apart for extended periods of time, they may struggle to connect emotionally and physically, which can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection. These emotions can make it difficult to feel safe, secure, or comfortable engaging in sex while away from home.
Many deployed individuals find themselves without the physical resources needed to maintain healthy sexual relationships, such as access to contraception or privacy.
Disrupted sexual routines can also have an impact on mental health.
Some deployed individuals may experience difficulty concentrating, sleeping, eating, and coping with daily activities due to changes in sexual routine. They may develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being exposed to trauma or stressful situations during deployment. It is important for these individuals to seek professional help if they need it.
There are steps that deployed personnel can take to improve their sexual health and well-being. Some strategies include setting boundaries around sexual activity, communicating openly and honestly about expectations and desires, exploring alternative sexual practices, and using technology to stay connected. Deployed individuals should also prioritize self-care by exercising regularly, eating nutritiously, getting enough sleep, and seeking support from family and friends.
Disruptions to sexual routines during military deployments can be challenging but manageable. By prioritizing communication, self-care, and alternative approaches to intimacy, deployed personnel can maintain positive sexual relationships despite distance and separation.
What are the psychological consequences of disrupted sexual routines in deployed military life?
While some studies have shown that deployments can lead to increased anxiety and depression, others suggest that the negative effects may be temporary and dependent on specific factors such as length of deployment and frequency of separation from loved ones. Deployments can also have an impact on sexual behavior and functioning.