It’s normal for your relationship with a spouse or partner to feel strained, especially if you’re spending 24 hours a day together indoors.
The coronavirus pandemic is upending everyday life across the globe in myriad ways — and as we work to stop the spread through social distancing, many are locked down with a spouse or significant other.
Here are some tips to manage any unprecedented stress on your relationship — you may even come out of this difficult time stronger than ever.
- Give each other some grace. Dealing with disproportionate blowups about small things like laundry piles or overcooked eggs? So are lots of other couples. The pandemic is not a typical situation, and the resulting anxiety and stress means both of you are more likely to snap at times. Try to lower expectations during this temporary period and maintain empathy for one another.
“When someone seems upset about something trivial it might not really be about that trivial issue, sometimes it’s best to just let it go. Other times you can simply ask: ‘Are you upset about everything that’s going on?’ It might get the conversation going, when it’s appropriate.’ - Offer and accept apologies easily. While lowering expectations during these weeks can help, annoyances and arguments can pile up if they are routinely not resolved. “These are little deaths in a relationship that can add up to resentment if we don’t have a plan of repair,” Own up to snapping at your spouse and accept their “I’m sorry” when it’s offered.
- It’s not just about you, talk to each other, do fun things together like playing games, watching movies,cooking, doing some indoor fun competitions like singing or dancing, even taking pictures, these are all ways to bond and make memories and if kids are involved too for the married couples, this is a good time to bond with your kids and get to know them especially the Teens. You can also get good books to read and expand your knowledge and then discuss the book with each other.
- Grow your Christian life and spirituality as a couple. You may not have had the time before to pray together and study the Word of God, guess what? This is the perfect time for you both to get closer to God and this is a real relationship goal right here.
- Be romantic and Spontaneous.
Yea, this time there’s no excuse not to give him or her breakfast in bed, there’s no excuse not to tell each other how much you love and care for each other, there’s no excuse not to show your partner or spouse that you value their presence in your life, so get on with it and renew that spark, reignite that passion and fire that has been burning low for some time.
Lastly, please don’t add too much weight this period… You both can start a work out session every morning to burn off the extra calories that is been accumulated due to the sit at home.
Relationships are in a pressure cooker, with spouses not only stuck under the same roof but also dealing with the anxiety and stress of the larger coronavirus crisis. “Itʼs so much pressure we’re going through as a culture,” we need to slow down, take a pause and adjust to this new meaning of the relationships in our life.”
That might feel challenging right now, but know that you’re not alone and your feelings are normal. It’s day 2 of the lock down, the best you can do at this point is to try and enjoy each other’s company.
Don’t forget to like, comment and share and please do stay safe guys. Happy and healthy days are surely ahead.
