Chronic stress is a common issue for service members who have experienced traumatic events during their military career. It can lead to physical and mental health problems, affecting both their personal lives and job performance. Intimacy, on the other hand, has been found to play an important role in reducing the impact of chronic stress.
Intimacy refers to the emotional connection that individuals share with each other. This connection is based on mutual understanding, trust, respect, care, support, and affection. It helps people feel accepted, loved, and valued. The act of being close physically, emotionally, or intellectually strengthens this bond between them, improving their sense of well-being. Through intimate relationships, service members can experience a range of benefits that improve resilience against stress.
Intimacy increases levels of oxytocin, which is a hormone associated with social bonding. Oxytocin reduces cortisol, a stress hormone that causes anxiety, depression, and fatigue. As a result, it promotes relaxation, calmness, and happiness. This leads to improved mood, sleep quality, and better immunity. It also enhances cognitive function, memory recall, and problem-solving skills. Thus, increasing oxytocin through intimate relationships improves resistance against chronic stress.
Intimacy reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation. These are two factors that contribute to chronic stress by making individuals feel disconnected from others. Being close to someone else allows them to express themselves openly without fear of judgment. They can talk about their problems, worries, and concerns without hesitation, seeking comfort, support, and advice. This helps them cope with stress more effectively, allowing them to focus on other aspects of life such as work or family.
Intimacy also promotes positive self-esteem and confidence. When someone feels cared for and appreciated, they become more optimistic about their abilities and achievements. This reduces negative thoughts and emotions linked to chronic stress, like guilt, anger, sadness, frustration, and fear. Instead, they feel empowered and motivated, enabling them to overcome challenges and setbacks in their lives. Intimacy also boosts communication, empathy, and emotional regulation, further strengthening resilience against stress.
Intimacy is an important factor in reducing the impact of chronic stress among service members. Through this connection, they experience a range of benefits that improve mental and physical well-being. By prioritizing intimate relationships, they can build stronger bonds with their partners, families, friends, and communities, leading to better health outcomes overall. Therefore, encouraging intimacy could be one way to promote resilience in military personnel dealing with traumatic experiences.
How does intimacy contribute to resistance against chronic stress in service members?
Intimacy has been shown to be an important factor for coping with stress among military personnel (e. g. , Langevin et al. , 2013). Intimate relationships are characterized by strong bonds between individuals that allow them to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In this way, intimacy can provide support during difficult times such as periods of high stress (Agarwal & Chandola, 2016).