One of the most significant challenges facing couples after deployment is adjusting to being together again. After weeks or months apart, it's natural for partners to have changed and become accustomed to their new lives without each other.
This doesn't mean that they no longer love each other; instead, there may be a need to rekindle the spark and rediscover one another. Intimacy is crucial to a healthy relationship, but it can be difficult to nurture when both parties are exhausted from stressful deployments. Fortunately, there are several ways that couples can assess and strengthen their compatibility.
1. Communication: It's essential for couples to communicate openly about what they want and need from one another. This includes discussing expectations for sex and sexuality. Couples should set aside time to talk explicitly about their preferences, desires, and boundaries so that they don't assume anything.
Some people may find intimacy more meaningful during specific times of day, such as in the morning before work or late at night before bedtime. Others may enjoy spontaneous encounters or long sessions with breaks. By having these conversations, couples can avoid misunderstandings and create a foundation of trust and understanding.
2. Honesty: Couples must also be honest about any issues that arise during deployment.
If one person had an affair or experienced trauma while deployed, they should share those experiences with their partner in order to repair the relationship and build trust. If either party struggles with addiction or has been exposed to traumatic events, they should seek professional help. Being open and vulnerable can lead to greater closeness and intimacy.
3. Exploration: Deployment often leads to new interests and hobbies, which can enrich relationships. Couples should explore these together and discover new activities that bring them closer.
They could try new recipes, go on adventurous vacations, take up sports, or even watch movies that spark conversation. These shared experiences will remind them why they fell in love in the first place and provide common ground to build upon.
4. Reconnection: After deployment, it's essential to reconnect emotionally and physically. This means taking time to reestablish physical touch and affection by cuddling, holding hands, kissing, or engaging in sexual activity. It's crucial not to rush into sex but instead focus on the other elements of intimacy and allow natural attraction to develop over time.
Couples should practice mindfulness and self-care to reduce stress levels and improve their overall wellbeing.
5. Patience:
Couples need patience as they readjust to being together again. It may take some time for emotional bonds to be restored, but this is normal and necessary. They should avoid jumping to conclusions about each other or assuming that things will automatically return to how they were before. With patience and effort, couples can rediscover one another and strengthen their relationship despite challenges such as deployment.
By assessing compatibility, nurturing intimacy, and building a foundation of trust and understanding, couples can overcome the challenges of deployment and maintain a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
How can intimate compatibility be assessed and nurtured for couples readjusting after deployment?
Intimacy is an important aspect of any romantic relationship. It involves physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual connections between partners that allow them to share their experiences, thoughts, feelings, and desires with each other on a deeper level. When one partner deploys abroad, it may lead to changes in intimacy levels due to the absence of physical and emotional proximity.