At a time when we’re spending more time at home to keep our loved ones safe, some of us started to forget the different ways of seeing and connecting with them face-to-face. Others have found themselves holed up at home with their significant others for longer than they expected. Unfortunately, both situations can make one feel stressed, anxious, frightened, or feel as if the situation is unbearable.
These feelings can end up straining and even ruining relationships, with even married couples separating due to the anxiety and stress brought about by both the COVID-19 pandemic. Even the dating sphere has been affected by the global health crisis, making hookup culture a thing of the past and putting more emphasis on whether two people share the same perception of risk.
Whether couples are living together or apart, the pandemic has become the ultimate test to see whether a relationship can survive in times of extreme stress and anxiety. If you feel like you’re in limbo with your significant other, here’s how you can keep the relationship healthy and make it stand the test of time.
Stay Connected
Whether you’re living with your significant other or are making things work virtually, there are different ways to strengthen your relationship with each other. Strengthening your bond during these difficult times can make less stressful situations easier to maneuver. You can do this by planning out dates that allow you to spend quality time together. You and your partner can try out different kinds of dates regularly like watching each other’s favorite movie together, challenging each other to a cook-off, having a wine tasting session, and a lot more.
While it isn’t the same as a night out on the town, finding different ways to enjoy each other’s company will help your relationship flourish not only during the pandemic but also in the long run.
Listen and Compromise
Listening and making compromises is one of the most important aspects that help make relationships work. However, listening isn’t enough. You also need to understand what your partner is saying, and if you don’t agree on something, that’s when you have to compromise. You and your partner both have to know that you can’t get what you want all the time, and meeting halfway is the best way to minimize any bigger arguments that not compromising can bring about.
Show Them How Much You Appreciate Them
Knowing one another’s love language and acting according to that knowledge is the best way to express your love for them in a way they’ll understand and appreciate. For instance, if your partner’s love language is receiving words of affirmation, you can best show your appreciation by letting them know that you’re there for them and that you will get through these difficult times together. On the other hand, if your partner’s love language is receiving gifts, giving them something that resembles your love for them such as a promise ring made of gold or a custom-made gift is sure to make them happy.
Conquer Fear and Insecurities Together
Some of the biggest hurdles in relationships are fear and insecurity, and along with the fear and anxiety caused by the pandemic, having a good support system is as important as ever. It’s important to not let your insecurities get the best of you and allow yourself to be more confident about the love you deserve. In uncertain times like these, couples need to conquer their fears and insecurities about themselves and learn to love the good and bad in each other.
Understand Each Other’s Limits
Understand that your partner won’t be able to satisfy everything that you need and vice versa. At a time like this when many are experiencing excessive stress and are uncertain of the future, it’s important to know how to manage your expectations and put your trust in what your partner can do instead of focusing on what he or she can’t do.
When you’re aware of their physical and emotional capabilities, it becomes easier to effectively communicate how you want each other to contribute to the relationship.
Find the Right Balance Between “We” and “Me”
Being in a relationship doesn’t mean that you need to change who you are to fit the expectations of the person you’re with. It’s also important to remember that the relationship shouldn’t be one-sided- it can’t be all about you. There has to be a balance between maintaining your integrity as an individual while finding your place in the relationship. This reduces the risk of turbulent periods in your relationship caused by shifting your personality to please your partner.
Relationships can take a lot of work, especially at a time when couples are either spending too much time holed up in one house or are trying to stay connected virtually. But as long as both you and your partner continue to make an effort to understand each other and get through these difficult times together, you’ll likely find success in your relationship.
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