Sexual Intimacy Between Soldiers And Partners: Maintaining Closeness In Times Of Uncertainty
Sex between military spouses can be challenging for many reasons, including but not limited to deployment, injuries, trauma, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and alcohol abuse.
It is important that couples maintain closeness through physical and emotional intimacy despite these obstacles. Here are some tips for partners to keep their relationship strong during difficult times:
1. Communication - Talk openly about your fears, desires, needs, wants, and expectations. Be honest about what you're feeling without judgment. Discuss the future together and set realistic goals for each other.
2. Physical Touch - Hold hands, hug, kiss, cuddle, and engage in mutual masturbation or sexual activities. This helps build trust and intimacy while also relieving stress.
3. Emotional Support - Listen actively to each other, provide comfort when needed, and offer encouragement when possible. Ask for help if one partner feels overwhelmed with emotions or mental health issues.
4. Scheduling - Plan regular date nights or vacations away from home to reconnect as a couple outside of day-to-day life. Set boundaries around work/life balance and ensure quality time together.
5. Self-Care - Practice self-care rituals like exercise, meditation, journaling, reading books, or taking classes. Prioritize sleep and nutrition to stay physically and mentally well-balanced.
6. Seek Professional Help - If either partner struggles with PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, or any other serious issue, seek professional treatment before attempting to address it yourself. A therapist can help couples communicate effectively and manage conflict constructively.
By following these tips, military partners can maintain closeness despite challenges that threaten their relationship. It takes effort and commitment but is worthwhile for both personal happiness and family stability.
How do partners maintain closeness when soldiers fear overwhelming them with unresolved emotional struggles?
In order for partners to maintain closeness when their soldier loved ones experience overwhelming emotions, it is crucial that they demonstrate empathy and understanding towards their feelings. It can be difficult to address emotions as they arise since soldiers are often taught not to express vulnerability. Therefore, partners must communicate openly and create an environment where their loved one feels comfortable enough to share how they feel.