Many people believe that serving one's country involves dedication and sacrifice, but there is another factor that can be just as important - mental health and well-being. Service members face unique challenges when it comes to managing their emotions due to the nature of their work, which often demands impartiality and objectivity. In this article, I will discuss how they can navigate these complexities while remaining true to their duties.
Let's examine why service members may struggle with emotional regulation during their time in service. The military life can be incredibly stressful, with long hours, frequent deployments, and high levels of responsibility. This can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), all of which can make it difficult to maintain an even keel emotionally.
Service members are often expected to remain calm and collected under pressure, which can create additional tension if they experience strong emotions such as anger or fear.
There are ways for service members to cope with this challenge. One approach is to practice mindfulness meditation, which helps them focus on the present moment and become aware of their thoughts and feelings without judgment. Another strategy is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which teaches them to reframe negative thoughts and change behaviors that contribute to stress and anxiety.
Seeking support from a trusted friend, family member, or counselor can help service members process their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Navigating emotions is not always straightforward.
Some service members may feel conflicted about taking action against enemies because they have personal relationships with people who identify with those groups. Others may find themselves struggling with PTSD after witnessing traumatic events or experiencing combat. In these cases, professional counseling can provide crucial support in managing emotions and processing trauma.
Finding balance between impartiality and objectivity and expressing emotions can be challenging but essential for service members' mental well-being. By practicing self-care strategies and seeking support when necessary, they can navigate these complexities and stay true to their duties while prioritizing their own needs.
How do service members navigate emotional complexity when their professional role requires impartiality and objectivity?
Psychologists have studied how military personnel can navigate the paradoxical demands of balancing emotional involvement with impartiality and objectivity in their roles as soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, coast guardsmen, national guardsmen, reservists, and civilians serving on active duty. They have found that individuals may use various strategies to maintain personal boundaries while fulfilling their duties.