When soldiers are apart from their loved ones for extended periods of time, they may experience a variety of emotions including loneliness, depression, and anxiety. To cope with these feelings, many military members turn to different activities such as reading books, writing letters or emails, talking to friends and family, journaling, exercising, or meditating.
Some service members seek professional help through counseling or therapy sessions.
Even after resuming communication with their significant others, it can be difficult to rebuild emotional connection that was lost during periods of separation. This article will explore how military personnel work to repair and strengthen their relationships following times of disrupted communication.
One common approach is to communicate openly about the difficulties experienced during separations. Service members who were away for an extended period may find it helpful to share their experiences with their partners and discuss what they went through while apart. This allows them to validate each other's feelings and build empathy for one another's struggles. Open dialogue also helps to identify misunderstandings or miscommunication that could have arisen during the separation.
A spouse might say something that upset their partner while they were separated, but didn't realize it until they reconnected. By discussing this together, they can clear up any hurt feelings and begin to rebuild trust.
Another strategy for building emotional connection after separation is to engage in shared activities. Activities like hobbies, sports, or vacations can provide opportunities for couples to spend quality time together and connect on a deeper level. They can also provide distractions from the stresses of everyday life and allow individuals to focus on each other instead of worrying about day-to-day tasks. Couples can choose activities that are meaningful to both of them, such as cooking meals together or going on hikes.
Communicating nonverbally is another way to build intimacy and reconnect emotionally. Holding hands, giving kisses, cuddling, or sharing physical affection all convey love and support without words. Touch can be especially important for service members who were physically distant from their partners for an extended period of time. Military personnel often experience significant stressors, which can make it difficult to express themselves verbally. Therefore, using body language can help bridge communication gaps and show appreciation for each other even when there may not be much to say.
Establishing routines and rituals can help create structure and stability in relationships that may have been disrupted by separations. This could involve setting aside specific times each week to talk about important topics, making date nights a regular occurrence, or having family dinners together regularly. Routines give military families something to look forward to and provide predictability in an otherwise chaotic lifestyle.
There are many strategies that service members can use to rebuild emotional connection after periods of limited or disrupted communication. Open dialogue, shared activities, nonverbal communication, and creating routines and rituals can all help couples navigate the challenges of separation and reconnect with one another. By working together, military personnel and their partners can find ways to strengthen their bonds despite any obstacles they face.
How do service members rebuild emotional connection after periods of limited or disrupted communication?
Research has indicated that service members who experience prolonged periods of separation from loved ones may have difficulty rebuilding their emotional connection once they return home. This is because their relationships may have changed during their absence, and it can be difficult for them to readjust to their previous level of intimacy. Additionally, they may struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, or anger due to the strain on their relationship caused by their time away.