How can you help your partner stay connected while deployed away from home?
Deployment is a tough time for everyone involved, but it can be particularly difficult for couples who are physically separated for extended periods of time. It's easy to feel lonely, disconnected, and even anxious when one person is far away, especially if they are also facing danger every day. Military partners may find themselves feeling isolated and alone without their loved ones nearby, which can lead to negative emotions like depression, anxiety, anger, frustration, resentment, boredom, jealousy, loneliness, and guilt.
There are things that military partners can do to stay connected with each other while apart. Here are some tips:
1. Keep in touch regularly through phone calls, video chats, emails, letters, texts, social media posts, photos, and messages. This helps maintain communication and fosters intimacy despite physical distance.
2. Stay up to date with what is going on in each other's lives, including news stories, hobbies, interests, work, family, friends, etc. 3. Share experiences and feelings openly and honestly. Talk about the good times as well as the challenging moments. 4. Plan future activities together, such as vacations or milestones (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays). 5. Share memories of past trips, adventures, and special occasions. 6. Be patient and understanding with each other's different schedules, needs, and moods. 7. Try new things together (e.g., a new recipe, a new sport) or have a virtual date night. 8. Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and financially. Get enough sleep, exercise, eat healthily, relax, and enjoy leisure time. 9. Seek support from others (friends, family, colleagues, community groups) who understand your situation. 10. Use technology like Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook Messenger, and email apps. These can make it feel more like you are still together.
Military partners may also find it helpful to discuss their relationship with a mental health professional or therapist. This can help them cope with any issues that arise during deployment, such as stress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse. They can also explore ways to improve communication and intimacy in their relationship. It is important for both partners to stay committed to each other and keep lines of communication open throughout the entire process. With patience, trust, love, and effort, military partners can successfully navigate separation without sacrificing their connection or relationship.
How do military partners perceive the psychological significance of sexual contact under deployment stress?
Military partners may experience a variety of emotions during times of deployment stress that can impact their perception of sexual contact. These emotions may include feelings of loneliness, anxiety, fear, and depression, which can lead to a lack of interest in intimacy and sex. In addition, the stressors associated with deployment can also cause physical changes such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and hormonal imbalances that may affect one's libido.