Relationships are essential to maintaining mental health during periods of stress and trauma. Relational rituals can provide an additional layer of protection against combat-related psychological strain for service members returning home from deployment. These practices involve connecting with others through communication, touch, and intimacy. By creating a sense of belonging and familiarity, these activities help individuals cope with difficult experiences more effectively. This article explores how relational rituals can act as protective factors against combat-related psychological strain.
Communication
Communicating regularly with loved ones is one way that relational rituals can reduce psychological strain. Service members who engage in frequent communication with family members or close friends may experience less anxiety and depression than those who do not. Communication involves expressing thoughts and feelings openly while also listening attentively to others. It allows people to process their emotions constructively and gain support from trusted individuals. During times of difficulty, communication can be especially beneficial because it provides an outlet for emotional release and helps identify potential solutions to problems.
Sharing experiences with a partner or friend may help clarify emotions and prevent them from becoming overwhelming.
Touch
Another form of relational ritual that can protect against psychological strain is physical contact. Physical closeness releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with positive moods and bonding. By holding hands, hugging, or kissing, individuals create a strong bond that increases feelings of safety and comfort. Physical contact also reduces cortisol levels, which are linked to stress response. As a result, regular physical contact can improve mental health by reducing the harmful effects of chronic stress. Touch can take many forms beyond romantic relationships, such as hugging friends or petting animals. These actions foster emotional connection and promote resilience.
Intimacy
Intimate acts like cuddling, making love, or simply spending quality time together can provide another layer of protection against combat-related psychological strain. Sexual activity releases endorphins, which have calming and pain-relieving properties. Engaging in intimate activities regularly can increase self-esteem and reduce negative thoughts. Participating in sexual intercourse has additional benefits since it involves physical closeness and pleasure. This activity creates a feeling of closeness and reduces anxiety by releasing tension through orgasm.
Engaging in intimate acts requires vulnerability, trust, and open communication, all of which strengthen relationships over time.
Relational rituals involving communication, touch, and intimacy can act as protective factors against combat-related psychological strain for service members returning home from deployment. These practices foster emotional connection, release feel-good chemicals, and provide an outlet for expressing difficult emotions. While these behaviors may not be the only way to mitigate psychological distress, they can help individuals cope with challenges more effectively. By prioritizing their relationships, service members can build stronger bonds that support them during periods of difficulty.
In what ways do relational rituals act as protective factors against combat-related psychological strain?
Relational rituals play an important role in protecting military personnel from experiencing combat-related psychological distress. This is because these rituals provide individuals with a sense of belongingness and social support that can buffer them from the stressors they experience during deployment. Relational rituals allow soldiers to connect with their loved ones back home and maintain strong relationships despite being separated by distance or time. These rituals help keep soldiers' minds focused on positive things rather than negative thoughts associated with warfare.