The COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on a lot of intimate relationships.
Perhaps you’ve been stuck inside a small apartment together for months. Maybe you or your partner is an essential worker, and worrying about each other’s health is stressing you both. Or perhaps your household income has taken a severe hit. It’s hard to maintain a happy marriage when you’re on a super tight budget.
Just because you’ve hit a rough patch in your relationship doesn’t mean you can’t turn things around. If you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll find better days ahead.
Here are a few ways you can help your relationship survive the stress of these uncertain times.
Make Time for Fun
It’s been a difficult few months. Some of your relationship problems might be stemming from the fact that you haven’t had any opportunities to honestly relax and blow off steam. You’ve likely had relatively limited options for date nights, too!
Start planning some fun, safe activities that the two of you can enjoy together. Maybe you can have a picnic at the park, go for a hike, or visit a local attraction that is now open (while taking precautions, of course).
Communicate Often and Honestly
It can be tough to open up about your emotions right now. With so much going on in the world, you might feel like your partner will think you’re complaining about something silly. Or you may feel like you can’t find the right words to say to express yourself. But it’s essential to be open and honest with your partner. If you can communicate honestly, you can get to the root of the problem.
Lean on Your Support System
Even if you still aren’t able to physically see your friends and family in person, you need to open up to someone about what’s going on in your relationship. You don’t have to give them all of the personal details. But when you’ve been separated from your support system for months, it can take a toll on you. Getting some outside input can change your perspective.
Give Each Other Space
While it’s essential to plan some fun outings together, after so much time indoors with very little to do, you probably need some space from each other too. Take some time to go for a walk outdoors or curl up with a good book on the couch by yourself. Or write in a journal to get your feelings out in a judgment-free space. Having space and time to yourself will allow you to rest and recharge, and you’ll be in a better mood when you spend time with your partner.
Seek Relationship Counseling
If you feel like you and your spouse have hit a roadblock, you may need to look to someone else to guide what you should do next. Couples counseling could be the answer. Even if therapists in your area are not accepting new patients in person, you might set up a virtual appointment.
Through relationship counseling, you will both have the opportunity to take about what’s been bothering you, your expectations for your relationship, and how you feel things could be improved.
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Are you worried that the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine has pushed your relationship to the brink? Do you feel like you and your partner need help to figure out your next steps and mend your relationship?
You should strongly consider seeing a relationship counselor together and potentially attending individual therapy sessions. If you would like to know more, contact us today.