Strategies for Sustaining Relational Resilience and Emotional Closeness Under Military Stress
Stress is an inevitable part of life that affects all aspects of human existence, including romantic relationships.
For military couples, stress can take on a unique form due to the challenges associated with being apart from each other, facing dangerous situations, and having to cope with the aftermath of traumatic experiences. In this article, I will outline several strategies that help military couples sustain relational resilience and emotional closeness even when faced with prolonged periods of separation and stressful circumstances.
1. Communication: Effective communication between partners is key to maintaining emotional connection even during difficult times. Couples should make it a priority to regularly check in with each other via phone calls, video chats, letters, or emails. This helps keep both parties informed about what's going on in each other's lives and provides opportunities for sharing thoughts, feelings, and concerns. It's also important to be mindful of how you communicate, using active listening skills and avoiding blaming or criticism.
2. Support Networks: Military spouses often rely heavily on family members, friends, and colleagues to provide support while their partner is away. Building and maintaining these networks is crucial for coping with stress and feeling connected to others who understand the unique challenges of military life. Reaching out to others for help when needed can also prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can contribute to relationship problems.
3. Coping Mechanisms: Military couples need to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress effectively. This might include exercise, meditation, journaling, reading, or engaging in hobbies. It's also helpful to prioritize self-care by making time for relaxation, rest, and leisure activities. Doing so not only benefits the individual but can also improve overall relationship satisfaction and bonding between partners.
4. Flexibility: Being flexible and adaptable is essential for sustaining relational resilience under stress. When faced with unexpected changes or difficulties, such as extended deployments or sudden relocations, it's important to find ways to adjust to new circumstances while still preserving emotional closeness. This may require compromise, openness to new experiences, and a willingness to try different approaches to problem-solving.
5. Intimacy and Affection: Maintaining physical intimacy and showing affection through phone calls, video chats, letters, or other means can help keep emotional connection alive even when partners are physically apart. Engaging in mutually enjoyable activities, such as playing games together over Zoom or sending each other care packages, can also help create a sense of togetherness.
6. Gratitude and Positivity: Cultivating gratitude and positivity can help military couples focus on what they have rather than what they lack. Taking time to appreciate the positive aspects of life, both within their relationship and beyond, can provide a sense of perspective and hope during difficult times.
Military couples face unique challenges that require specific strategies to maintain relational resilience and emotional closeness. Communication, support networks, coping mechanisms, flexibility, intimacy and affection, and gratitude and positivity are all key factors in sustaining these qualities even under prolonged periods of separation and stressful circumstances. By employing these strategies, military couples can strengthen their bond and emerge from difficult situations stronger than ever before.
What strategies help military couples sustain relational resilience and emotional closeness under stress?
One strategy that can help military couples sustain relational resilience is to practice active listening. Active listening involves fully attending to one's partner when they are speaking and providing nonverbal cues such as eye contact and nodding. It also means avoiding distractions and asking questions to clarify what is being said. This allows for greater understanding and empathy between partners, which can enhance intimacy and strengthen their relationship.