Soldiers are trained to perform their duties without showing weaknesses, and they must remain focused even under stressful situations.
Mental health issues like loneliness can be challenging for anyone. During deployment periods, soldiers face various factors that might make them feel lonely, including missing family members, lack of contact with friends, limited social interaction, and uncertainty about the future. These factors increase their risk of developing depression and anxiety disorders. To maintain emotional engagement despite prolonged isolation or rotation, soldiers should follow these steps:
1) Connect with loved ones regularly - Communicating with family and friends helps soldiers stay connected to home while away from it. Soldiers can use email, text messaging, phone calls, video chats, letters, postcards, and other forms of communication to stay in touch with their loved ones.
2) Find new ways to interact socially - Soldiers can join online communities, play games, or read books together with others in their unit or platoon. They can also participate in sports activities like basketball, soccer, volleyball, football, tennis, golf, etc.
3) Develop hobbies and interests - Soldiers can spend time reading books, watching movies, playing video games, writing music, painting, crafting, exercising, cooking, etc., which help distract them from negative thoughts and provide an outlet for creativity.
4) Seek support from fellow soldiers - Soldiers who share similar experiences can offer support and comfort when needed. They may also have access to counseling services if they need someone to talk to confidentially.
5) Participate in religious activities - Many soldiers find solace in spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, worship, and reflection. Religious groups are often available on base and off-base.
6) Accept that loneliness is a normal feeling - Feeling lonely does not mean being weak; rather, it means understanding the impact of deployment on mental health. Recognizing this fact will make soldiers more accepting of themselves, leading to better emotional stability.
How do soldiers maintain emotional engagement under conditions of prolonged isolation or rotation?
Soldiers who are isolated for long periods of time often experience feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety due to their lack of social interaction with others. To combat these negative emotions, they may engage in activities that help them feel connected to other people, such as reading books or watching movies that feature strong relationships between characters. They may also reach out to friends and family members through phone calls or video chats, which can provide a sense of support and comfort during difficult times.