Soldiers have to deal with many challenges during their service, including staying alive while fighting for their country. One of these challenges is maintaining emotional closeness with loved ones back home. When soldiers are deployed, they often have to protect themselves emotionally from the dangers and trauma they face, which can lead to difficulties expressing feelings of love, affection, and vulnerability when they return home.
It is possible for soldiers to make sense of emotional closeness after prolonged periods of self-protection.
The first thing soldiers should do is to acknowledge that they need time to adjust to being back home after a deployment. This means taking things slow, giving themselves space, and allowing others to be patient with them. They should also find ways to reconnect with family members and friends who have been waiting for them. Talking openly about what they've been through and how they're feeling can help build trust and understanding. Soldiers may also benefit from seeking professional counseling or therapy to work through any emotional issues related to their deployment experience.
It's important for soldiers to understand that emotional closeness doesn't always mean physical intimacy. Instead, they should focus on building deeper connections through shared experiences and interests.
Engaging in activities together like hiking, cooking, or playing video games can create bonds that last long after the initial closeness has faded. Similarly, sharing stories and memories from the past can help bring people closer together.
Soldiers must learn to communicate effectively about their needs and desires without fear of judgment or criticism. This requires honest conversations about what makes each person feel loved and appreciated, as well as actively listening to one another. It may take some trial and error to figure out what works best for each couple, but the effort will pay off over time. With patience, communication, and willingness to try new things, soldiers can maintain emotional closeness even after experiencing trauma or stress.
How do soldiers make sense of emotional closeness after prolonged periods of emotional self-protection?
Soldiers who have been away from their families for extended periods of time may experience difficulty making sense of feelings of emotional closeness when they return home. The experience of separation can lead to a form of emotional self-protection that involves a disconnection between their personal lives and military service. This can cause them to feel detached from their loved ones and distant even after they are reunited.