Strategies to Mitigate Relational Burnout During Prolonged Deployments
Relationships can be strained when one or both partners are deployed for an extended period. These deployments can cause significant stress on the relationship due to the lack of physical contact and emotional support from each other.
There are some strategies that couples can employ to mitigate this relational burnout.
Maintaining open communication is crucial. This means having regular check-ins via phone calls, video chats, emails, or letters to discuss how you're feeling, what you're thinking about, and how your deployment is going. It also helps to set expectations for how much time you will have to spend together during your leaves so that neither partner feels unappreciated or taken advantage of.
It's essential to keep the romance alive by sending each other love notes or gifts, planning date nights, or engaging in other activities that make the distance seem shorter.
Another strategy is to stay connected emotionally. This includes sharing stories, experiences, memories, and dreams to keep the connection strong. You could even try writing love letters to each other as a way to express your thoughts and feelings without worrying about saying them aloud.
Create opportunities for intimacy. While sex may not be possible, intimacy can still be expressed through hugs, kisses, holding hands, cuddling, or other forms of touch. Couples who make time for these activities will feel closer and more connected than those who don't.
Remember to practice self-care. Taking care of yourself physically and mentally can help reduce stress levels and improve your mood. Exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or meditation. If needed, seek out professional counseling to address any mental health issues arising from your deployment. These strategies can all work together to mitigate relational burnout during prolonged deployments and maintain strong relationships between partners.
What strategies mitigate relational burnout during prolonged deployments?
Prolonged deployments can be stressful for military couples, leading to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and disconnection from family members back home. It's not uncommon for these negative emotions to cause relationship conflict and even contribute to relational burnout. To mitigate relational burnout during extended deployments, couples should work together to maintain communication and connection through various means such as regular video calls, written letters, and social media messaging.