Soldiers are trained to be strong, selfless, and courageous individuals who can overcome any challenge that comes their way.
Like everyone else, they too face challenges that can disrupt their emotional wellbeing. Prolonged exposure to operational stress is one such challenge that soldiers often experience during deployment. This exposure can result in feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, isolation, and even PTSD. Relationships are an integral part of life, yet prolonged exposure to operational stress can make it difficult for soldiers to maintain healthy ones. In this article, we will explore how soldiers rebuild relational competence after prolonged exposure to operational stress has disrupted prior emotional skills.
When soldiers return from deployment, they may find themselves struggling with communication, trust, and intimacy issues within their relationships. They may feel isolated, distant, and unsure about how to connect with others. The solution lies in recognizing these challenges and actively working towards rebuilding relational competence. Here are some steps that soldiers can take to rebuild their emotional skills and improve their relationships:
1) Communicate openly and honestly: Soldiers need to communicate their thoughts and feelings clearly to their loved ones. This helps them build a stronger connection and trust within the relationship. They should also listen actively to what their partner has to say without judgment or criticism.
2) Engage in meaningful activities together: Spending time doing things together is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship. Soldiers can engage in physical activities, hobbies, or simply spend quality time talking to each other. It's important to do something that both parties enjoy and look forward to.
3) Seek professional help: If the relationship is particularly strained, seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor can be beneficial. A trained professional can provide guidance on how to handle difficult situations and work through the issues that have arisen due to prolonged exposure to operational stress.
4) Practice self-care: Taking care of one's own mental and physical wellbeing is essential for rebuilding relational competence. This includes eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation or yoga. By taking care of themselves, soldiers can better manage their emotions and regain control over their lives.
5) Learn new coping mechanisms: Prolonged exposure to operational stress often leaves soldiers feeling helpless and powerless. Learning new coping mechanisms can help them feel more in control and empowered. These can include deep breathing exercises, visualization techniques, or even just focusing on the present moment.
6) Connect with others outside the relationship: Building relationships with friends, family, and colleagues can help soldiers rebuild their social support network. This provides an opportunity to connect with people who understand their experiences and can offer support when needed.
7) Don't give up: Rebuilding relational competence takes time and patience. Soldiers should not expect results overnight but should keep trying until they see progress. With persistence, it's possible to build stronger relationships and overcome the challenges posed by prolonged exposure to operational stress.
Rebuilding relational competence after prolonged exposure to operational stress is a process that requires effort and commitment.
It's worth the effort to maintain healthy relationships and improve overall wellbeing. By following these steps, soldiers can work towards rebuilding their emotional skills and creating lasting connections with those closest to them.
How do soldiers rebuild relational competence when prolonged exposure to operational stress has disrupted prior emotional skills?
Soldiers may rebuild their relational competence by seeking professional help from mental health specialists who can provide them with evidence-based treatments that address their unique needs and challenges. This includes therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and other forms of trauma therapy.