Whether you love the holidays or loathe them, there’s one thing most people can agree on – they can be stressful!
This year, more than ever, the holidays are bound to feel a little overwhelming. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many traditions are changing. People are being forced to find new ways to be in touch with family and friends. Events are getting canceled. Things might not just feel the same.
The stress from the pandemic, combined with the stress that usually comes from the holiday season, can be enough to put a strain on any relationship.
So, what can you do to maintain connection with your partner throughout the season, no matter how stressful it gets?
Schedule Time With Each Other
If you’ve been “stuck” at home for months together, you might already feel you spend enough time with your partner. But, between working (even if it’s remotely), taking care of your home, practicing self-care, and trying to maintain some sense of normalcy, how much quality time have you actually spent together?
Cohabitating doesn’t mean you’re connecting the way you want to be. In fact, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of being roommates, rather than partners.
Throughout the holiday season, clear some space on your calendar. Dedicate that time to your relationship. Spending quality time together, especially doing something fun for the season, can help you celebrate while strengthening your bond and reducing stress.
Be Present in the Moment
The holidays are busy. Even during a pandemic, you might find yourself with more to do. It’s easy to get lost in your schedule just to trying to keep up. But, in doing so, you may miss out on special moments between you and your partner.
Whether you’re at a socially-distanced holiday event, a family get-together, or even watching a Christmas movie at home, be engaged with each other. Try to look less at your phone or worrying about what else you have to do. Instead, be present and mindful of the moment with the person you love. You can still make cherished holiday memories this year if you’re willing to recognize that simply being with your partner is something to be thankful for.
Make Yourself More Available
Your holidays won’t mean nearly as much if you’re constantly busy or unavailable for your relationship. This year, perhaps more than ever before, it’s important to look at the holidays with a new perspective. This season always gets people feeling nostalgic. It encourages conversations about togetherness, family, and friends.
But we often get so busy and tied up in everything else, that those things we long for come second.
If this year has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. There has been so much grief in so many ways. You might feel as though you’ve lost out on so many things, including relationships with friends and family.
By recognizing how important the relationships in your life are, you can appreciate your partner that much more.
Make yourself not only physically present, but emotionally and mentally available for your partner throughout the season. You can lean on each other for support and help each other get through the holidays. Being joyful this season, and staying connected truly is a choice, but it isn’t always an easy one.
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If you’re still struggling to maintain a connection with your partner during the holidays, contact us for support. Together, we can go over more ideas to strengthen that important connection so you can feel closer than ever throughout the season and beyond. Serenity EFTC provides couples counseling in Colorado.