When partners are deployed to serve their country, they may experience different levels of stress due to unique circumstances.
One partner may be stationed closer to home while another is sent to a war zone. One partner may be responsible for caring for children or family members while the other is away. These differences can create strain on the relationship and lead to difficulty maintaining emotional and sexual stability.
There are several strategies that couples can employ to support each other during these times.
The first strategy is open communication. Couples must make an effort to talk about their experiences and feelings regularly. This means sharing both good news and bad news, as well as discussing concerns and fears. It also involves listening actively and empathetically to what your partner has to say. Open communication allows you to understand each other's perspective better and work together towards common goals.
Another strategy is maintaining physical intimacy. Physical touch is important for both parties to feel connected and supported. Even if you cannot be physically present with your partner, sending them a letter or care package can help keep the connection strong. You could also try phone or video calls to stay in touch and express affection.
Setting up regular dates via Skype or Facetime to engage in sexy activities can help maintain passion and desire.
It is crucial to have realistic expectations. During deployment, life changes drastically, so expecting things to remain exactly as they were before deployment is unrealistic. It is essential to adjust expectations accordingly and accept that things will likely look different after deployment. This does not mean lowering standards but understanding that circumstances change over time.
Deployments pose unique challenges to relationships. Nevertheless, couples who employ these strategies can maintain emotional and sexual stability despite divergent deployment stressors. By communicating openly, being physically intimate, and having realistic expectations, partners can weather this difficult period together and emerge stronger than ever.
What strategies support emotional and sexual stability when partners face divergent deployment stressors?
Partners facing divergent deployment stressors may feel isolated, depressed, anxious, and resentful due to limited contact with their loved ones for extended periods of time. To maintain emotional and sexual stability during this period, it is essential that they prioritize open communication about their feelings and needs with one another and find ways to cope with these challenges constructively.