Soldiers face many challenges that require them to balance their professional and personal lives while deployed. One of the biggest challenges is navigating emotional dissonance, which refers to the conflict between what they feel and how they act. This can be particularly difficult for soldiers because they often have to suppress their emotions while performing their duties.
It's important for soldiers to find ways to deal with this dissonance so they can stay healthy and effective.
We will explore some strategies that soldiers can use to navigate emotional dissonance when balancing their professional and personal priorities. We will also discuss the benefits and risks associated with each strategy.
Distraction
Distraction is a common way for soldiers to manage emotional dissonance. When a soldier feels conflicted about their actions, they may try to distract themselves by focusing on something else.
They might listen to music or watch a movie. This can help temporarily relieve their feelings of guilt or sadness.
There are some risks associated with using distraction as a coping mechanism. If a soldier relies too heavily on distractions, they may become numb to their own emotions. They may also miss out on opportunities to process and resolve their feelings.
If a soldier uses distractions excessively, they may struggle with insomnia or other mental health issues later on.
Suppression
Suppression involves consciously ignoring or denying negative emotions. A soldier who uses suppression may tell themselves that they don't care about what they're doing or pretend it doesn't bother them. This can help them function in the short term but can lead to long-term consequences.
Suppressing emotions can cause physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, and high blood pressure. It can also lead to psychological problems like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These conditions can interfere with a soldier's ability to perform their duties.
Expression
Expression involves acknowledging and sharing one's feelings. Soldiers who use expression may write in a journal or talk to friends and family members about how they feel. They may also participate in group therapy sessions or seek professional counseling.
This strategy has many benefits. Expressing emotions can reduce stress and promote healing. It can also build stronger relationships between soldiers and their loved ones.
There are some risks associated with expression.
Expressing emotions too publicly could violate military regulations or damage a soldier's reputation.
Some people may not be supportive of a soldier's emotional struggles, which can make the situation worse.
Sublimation
Sublimation is when a soldier channels their emotions into positive actions.
A soldier who feels guilty after killing an enemy combatant might volunteer for extra patrols or train new recruits. This helps them avoid feeling guilty by redirecting their energy towards something productive.
Sublimation can be a helpful strategy because it allows soldiers to channel negative emotions into positive outlets. It can also help them feel more competent and in control.
If sublimation becomes excessive, it can lead to burnout or other mental health issues.
Soldiers face many challenges while balancing their professional and personal lives. One of the biggest challenges is navigating emotional dissonance. Some strategies for managing this include distraction, suppression, expression, and sublimation. While these strategies have benefits and risks, soldiers should find what works best for them and seek support from trusted friends and family members. With proper care and attention, soldiers can manage their emotions and stay healthy and effective on the battlefield.
How do soldiers navigate emotional dissonance when balancing professional and personal priorities?
Soldiers may experience difficulty navigating emotional dissonance between their professional and personal priorities due to the conflicting demands of both roles. They may feel guilt for not being able to meet the needs of their family while on duty or miss out on important events at home while away from base. Additionally, they may struggle with adjusting back into civilian life after long deployments, which can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from loved ones.