How to Cope With Deployment as a Military Spouse

Every service member knows that deployment is an inevitable part of their service. While not every service member will deploy, it’s a distinct possibility that they all prepare for. While deployments have a significant impact on our troops, they also have a big impact on their loved ones back home, especially their spouses.

Being left at home and having to manage everything on their own can be a significant source of stress. The good news is that there are ways for spouses to cope with their loved one’s deployment so they can lead a successful life at home while they wait for their spouse to return. In this blog, we’ll go over some of the challenges of being a spouse during a deployment and how you can cope with the stress and anxiety you may feel during this time.

The Challenges of Being a Spouse During Deployment

Being a military spouse isn’t always easy, especially during deployment when your spouse will be away for months at a time. Communication may be limited, and it’s hard having someone you love be so far away in a potentially dangerous situation. There are many challenges to being a spouse during a deployment, which can include:

• Emotional disruption and relationship tension
• Difficulty communicating
• Financial hardship
• Difficulty managing childcare
• Difficulty maintaining employment
• Experiencing negative emotions
• Loneliness and isolation
• Limited support

These challenges can affect a spouse’s ability to lead their lives while their loved one is away, especially if they don’t have the proper tools or support to help them.

Our Top 6 Tips for Dealing With a Deployment as a Spouse

Despite the challenges that military spouses face with deployments, there are ways to cope with these hardships so you can move forward with your life while you wait for your loved one to return. Below are some of the best methods for dealing with your spouse’s deployment.

1. Stay Connected and Communicate

It can be hard being away from your spouse, so it’s important to establish a way to stay connected during a deployment when possible. Come up with a game plan with your spouse to talk regularly, whether it’s through text, phone calls, or video calls. Keep in mind that some deployments may not allow for regular communication, but make an effort when you can.

It’s also important to talk with your spouse about what you’re feeling. You should both be able to express your emotions and offer support to each other in the ways that you can and reassure each other. You can also keep each other informed about your daily happenings, that way it feels like you’re still a part of each other's lives. Staying connected and communicating when you can can help ease some of the stress you may feel during your spouse’s deployment.

2. Find a Support System

It’s important to have people at home who can support you while your spouse is away. Family and friends are a great place to start as they’re your established support network and can offer you help and understanding while you try to cope with your loved one’s deployment. You can spend time with them to help ease some of your stress and anxiety.

You can also find support groups for spouses, both online and in person, where you can meet other spouses who have gone through or are going through the same thing you are. Through these groups, you can form connections, vent about your struggles, and find advice for how to deal with things on the home front while you wait for your spouse to return.

If you find that you’re struggling, you can also talk with a professional. A counselor can help you find methods to manage your stress and deal with your emotional challenges during your spouse’s deployment period.

3. Take Care of Yourself

Self-care is always important, but it’s especially important when your other half is overseas and you’re experiencing stress or anxiety. You should prioritize your mental health, which means taking time for yourself to engage in activities you enjoy that help you relax, whether exercising, spending time with friends, or participating in your hobbies. Taking care of your mental health will make it easier to deal with the emotional challenges of a spouse’s deployment.

You also need to take care of your physical health. It will be harder to care for your mental health if your physical health is poor. Make sure you’re eating right, sleeping enough, and getting some exercise when you can.

4. Learn to Manage Your Stress and Anxiety

If you’ve never dealt with your spouse deploying before, you’ll likely experience stress and anxiety from all of the challenges you’re facing while they’re away. Stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your life if you don’t manage these feelings properly.

Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge what you’re feeling and trust that it’s normal to feel the way you do. There’s nothing easy about a deployment, and you’re bound to feel some tough emotions while your spouse is away. Learn to acknowledge these feelings and accept them for what they are, which will make it easier to overcome these feelings and move forward with life while your spouse is away.

You can also work on relaxation techniques when you start to feel particularly overwhelmed. Meditation, breathing exercises, and activities that allow you to practice mindfulness can help you deal with anxiety and stress in a healthy way. Try to engage in activities you enjoy too, whether it’s hiking, art, spending time with friends, yoga, or other healthy activities that make you feel relaxed and happy.

5. Do Your Best to Make the Most of Your Time Apart

While it’s hard being separated from someone you love, it’s important to try to make the most of your time apart. This means planning activities and setting goals while your spouse is away, such as trying a new hobby you’ve always wanted to or working on a personal project.

You should also try to create memories with your other loved ones while you wait for your spouse to return, which will make it easier to deal with their absence. Spend time with friends, family, or your children if you have them. Keep looking forward to the future and know that your spouse will return and you’ll have the chance to reconnect once they’re home.

6. Prepare for Your Spouse's Return

As it gets closer to your spouse’s date to return home, you can start preparing. Consider planning something special for your spouse’s homecoming, whether it’s a gathering with their family and friends or something relaxed and personal at home. Talk to your spouse and see what they might want. A deployment can be stressful, and they may just want to come home and decompress with their immediate family, but they may also want to go out and see everyone they love soon after their return. Each person is different, so it’s best to discuss your plans with your spouse for their homecoming.

Remember that once your spouse returns, it’s going to take them some time to readjust to civilian life. They’ve spent months overseas engaged in military operations, and civilian life looks a lot different, even when they’re still working on base each day. Your spouse will likely need some time to process what they’ve experienced, so give them some time to adjust to life back at home and be understanding if they’re having some troubles. You can do your part by offering your support and asking how you can help them while they’re adjusting to life after their deployment.

Help Your Spouse Prepare for Their Deployment With Gear From MLC

Deployments are hard on everyone, and as a spouse, you’re likely to have some concerns while your loved one is serving overseas. You want to make sure they’re adequately prepared to handle their own challenges while you’re dealing with things at home, which is why you should give them the gift of gear from MLC.

Military Luggage Company offers rugged gear that’s designed with our service members in mind, meaning it’s durable enough to withstand the rigors of military service. We offer bags for deployment to ensure your loved one can pack and carry everything they need to be prepared, such as duffle bags, wheeled loadout bags, assault packs, and more. Check out our full selection to get started, or contact us if you have any questions.