Many countries have adopted policies that support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people (LGBTQIA+) rights and allow them to serve openly in military forces around the world.
Serving in these organizations can be challenging due to their constant moves and deployments. This situation makes it difficult for LGBT couples to maintain healthy and stable relationships, which can lead to anxiety and stress. To manage relational anxiety stemming from unpredictable mission environments, LGBT couples need to establish clear boundaries, set expectations, communicate regularly, show appreciation, find time for each other, express themselves freely, and seek professional help if necessary.
Establish Clear Boundaries
To manage relational anxiety when living in an unstable environment, LGBT couples must establish clear boundaries and rules about what they will or will not tolerate.
Setting ground rules such as limiting phone calls during work hours, taking weekends off from communicating, and avoiding discussions of emotional topics during deployments can reduce tension.
Being honest with each other about their needs and feelings without judging one another is essential for creating a safe space where both partners feel heard and understood.
Set Expectations
When living in an unpredictable mission environment, it is essential to clearly define expectations regarding communication, responsibilities, and time management. Couples should agree on how often they will talk daily, who will handle household chores, and how much time they will spend together. They also need to decide whether they can share their location at all times to prevent misunderstandings caused by sudden changes in plans. By setting these expectations upfront, couples can minimize conflict down the road and ensure that everyone feels supported.
Communicate Regularly
In military service, couples may experience extended periods apart due to deployment or relocation. To maintain healthy relationships, they should make sure to stay connected through regular communication. This means scheduling video calls, sharing updates on social media, writing letters, sending emails, and talking on the phone whenever possible. It is also important to remember that communication does not just mean verbal exchanges but includes non-verbal cues like body language and tone of voice.
Show Appreciation
To combat relational anxiety stemming from unpredictable missions, LGBT couples must recognize and appreciate each other's efforts. Expressing gratitude, giving compliments, showing affection, celebrating small victories, and supporting each other through challenges are ways to demonstrate love and appreciation. Doing so can strengthen bonds between partners, even when they cannot be physically present together.
Find Time for Each Other
Living in an unstable environment with long hours and tight schedules can take a toll on any relationship, especially for LGBT couples who already face unique challenges. Therefore, it is essential to make time for one another as often as possible. If deployments become too overwhelming, couples should consider seeking professional help from counselors specializing in helping people manage anxiety related to military life. Such professionals offer techniques that can help individuals cope with stressful situations while promoting positive mental health outcomes such as reduced feelings of isolation and increased resilience.
Living in an unstable mission environment can pose many challenges to LGBTQIA+ relationships. To minimize the impact of these obstacles, couples need to establish clear boundaries, set expectations, communicate regularly, show appreciation, find time for each other, express themselves freely, and seek professional help if necessary. By doing so, they can maintain healthy relationships despite the difficulties of their circumstances.
How do LGBT couples manage relational anxiety stemming from unpredictable mission environments?
LGBT couples may experience unique challenges when it comes to managing relational anxiety due to their exposure to unpredictable mission environments. These factors can include cultural differences, language barriers, religious beliefs, legal issues, and social stigma that can create additional stressors on an already vulnerable relationship. To cope with these challenges, LGBT couples must rely on effective communication strategies such as active listening, empathy, and openness.