Soldiers are often required to undergo rigorous training and discipline, both physically and mentally. While they may be able to control their behavior during combat situations, they face difficulties when it comes to handling their emotions in private life. Soldiers who have experienced traumatic events in war zones tend to struggle with maintaining healthy relationships due to anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental illnesses caused by the trauma they have faced.
There is no rule book for soldiers that teaches them how to navigate emotional labor in relationships while managing personal trauma. The challenge of negotiating this dynamic can take a heavy toll on the soldier's physical and emotional well-being if left unattended. Therefore, it is crucial for soldiers to understand the concept of emotional labor and learn effective strategies for coping with its demands.
The term "emotional labor" refers to the management of feelings and behaviors in service occupations where employees interact with customers, such as waiters, salespeople, teachers, nurses, etc. In contrast to these professions, soldiers must deal with various types of people from different backgrounds in a professional setting. The complexity of their profession requires emotionally taxing work, including witnessing death and destruction, dealing with adversaries, and enduring long deployments away from home. As a result, they may find it difficult to manage their personal lives because they cannot turn off their emotions when they return home from duty.
In order to overcome this issue, soldiers need to develop self-awareness and empathy skills. Self-awareness involves understanding one's thoughts, feelings, and actions and developing the ability to regulate emotions effectively. Empathy allows soldiers to put themselves in the shoes of others, helping them better comprehend the needs and desires of their loved ones. They should also seek help from mental health professionals who specialize in treating PTSD or other mental illnesses caused by combat experiences.
Soldiers could try to practice mindfulness techniques that involve paying attention to present-moment experiences without judgment.
Soldiers can engage in open communication with their spouse/partner about how they feel and what they expect from their relationship.
By implementing these strategies, soldiers will be able to negotiate the challenges of emotional labor while managing their trauma more effectively.
It is essential for their family members and friends to provide support and understanding during this process. They should avoid dismissing or minimizing the soldier's struggles but rather encourage them to seek help if necessary.
Successful management of emotional labor in relationships requires effort from both parties involved - the soldier and their loved ones.
How do soldiers negotiate emotional labor in relationships while managing personal trauma?
Soldiers may experience difficulty navigating their relationships as they manage traumatic experiences. While many factors can contribute to this challenge, one major factor is emotional labor. Emotional labor refers to the effort required to manage emotions in order to meet social expectations and maintain relationships (Grandey et al. , 2017).