5 Relationship Tips to Help Survive Stressful Times

The last few years have been incredibly challenging for many relationships. Even though the pandemic is in the rearview, spending extended time together unexpectedly and involuntarily acted like a pressure cooker! Relationship vulnerabilities were squeezed out. Conflict and arguing increased. The annoying traits of their partners were magnified; the unpredictability of life was exaggerated. And on top of these relationship issues, some couples discovered they didn't actually "like" their partner under stress and confinement.

You’d think that the extra time together would strengthen their bond, but instead, too much togetherness strained many relationships. When you hit tough relationship issues or a highly stressful time, be ready with these EQ tips!

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Relationship Tips for Stressful Times

Relationship problems can deepen your relationship, or it can be a catalyst for break-ups. You must find creative ways of handling challenging times as a couple.

Below are strategies you can utilize to help your relationship survive during any stressful or challenging times.

Relationship Tip #1: Don't Try to Control Your Partner.

When the unexpected happens, it can shake us personally and in our relationship. Life can give us the illusion that we have control over our lives. You have your way of doing things, and you may disagree with how your partner does his or her stuff. It is okay, but don’t overstep their boundaries by controlling the house rules and forcing things to go per your wishes. We might have unrealistic expectations of our partner that pop up during stress.

During stressful times, you and your partner may respond differently to stress. Know the warning signs of stress in a relationship.

The duress and "power over" will spur negative feelings in them, which can jeopardize your relationship.

According to a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, dominant behavior tends to lower the quality of romantic relationships. The findings from the study reveal that dominance ruins a person’s sense of freedom, which reduces their relationship satisfaction. This conclusion means that dominating your partner compels them to seek autonomy; they feel a loss of independence and free will. And that will backfire!

Being controlling can also increase your partner’s feelings of resentment, fear, and distrust. As you bruise their self-esteem, most recoil, and distance themselves for protection and can even end up rejecting you.

The best way to thrive is to respect each others' boundaries and create a power balance, where you both have space and freedom to do things as you wish or like.

Relationship Tip #2: Create Regular Alone Time.

Relationships need lots of together time to flourish and also lots of alone time to rejuvenate.

One thing learned from confinement during the pandemic was that when couples were squished together for extended times, it dramatically limited private moments. It felt like you were constantly in each other’s faces. This experience greatly exaggerated what is always true: we need autonomy and alone time to thrive.

Without alone time, you might get bored with your partner, and irritability levels can arise. Or you might begin feeling like you don't "like" them; not because it's true, but because your needs are competing.

So, if you are thinking of ways to thrive as a couple, then create some personal space in your life, too.

Woman spending alone time at a window Some alone time allows us to commune with our real selves so we can develop healthy relationships. We all need some private time to breathe, think, work, and connect with ourselves.

Time apart helps you to appreciate your partner and miss their presence. As they say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Therefore, make a point of setting up specific times during the day when you go for a walk alone or go into separate rooms to do your own stuff. Then, when you come together at the end of the day, you will feel more rejuvenated and ready to connect with your spouse. This deliberate time with yourself will enable you to enjoy your partner’s company more.

Related reading: "How to Unravel the Knots and Tangles in a Relationship."

Relationship Tip #3: Find Common Activities to Enjoy Together.

Relationships can be lonely, boring, and aggravating if you share nothing in common but spend a lot of time together. To enliven your relationship (and avoid getting on each other’s nerves and navigating more boring times), be intentional and find activities that you can enjoy doing together. There are many activities you can undertake to bring some charm into your life.

You can go for a jog and work out together. You will bond while boosting your energy levels.
You can plan a future event like a vacation, anniversary, or birthday party.
Get in touch with distant family and friends via Zoom.
Learn a hobby together; take a pottery or cooking class.
Play board games or work on a difficult puzzle.

As you do these activities together, you will feel delighted and happy with your partner.

Related reading: "Emotional Intelligence in Relationships: Let the Magnet of Love Lead."

Relationship Tip #4: Recreate the Honeymoon Feeling; Date Night Here We Come!

Every couple has fond memories and remembers the thrill when you first met and dated your partner. Everything was new and electrifying. You could spend hours just doing different things and talking together. With time, other obligations like work and family demands made it difficult to spend quality time.

Keep the love alive! Carve time to date and schedule regular outings and dating episodes. Spice things up. For instance, you can prepare a meal together, play video games, undertake a virtual yoga class, or go on a museum tour.

Couple gardening together during quarantine Even doing gardening with your partner can light up your moods as you harvest vegetables or see the flowers blossom. You can choose to redecorate your house and have fun together as you exchange creative ideas; you can never run out of options. If you are not a daytime fanatic, there are fantastic date night ideas for you.

Think of treating yourselves to a spa night. Dig out those old photos and make an album as you recollect those good old memories. Better still, you can opt to make some delicious cocktails or watch a concert.

Whatever you choose to do together, make sure both of you are excited about it. Such dates are crucial in relationships, especially during stressful times. They help relieve stress and enhance happiness, communication, and commitment, thus bringing feelings of satisfaction to your union.

Relationship Tip #5: Seek Professional Help When Needed.

Countless programs have sprung up to repair or enliven relationships. Crises catch many partners off guard, whether it's job loss, devastation through flood, or threatened financial stability.

Many relationships experience quarrels and fights. Stressful times, such as the quarantine, magnify problems that couples initially assumed to be normal or even trivial. And if things get out of hand, the best option is to seek professional help.

Take, for instance, a faulty ceiling. Your inability to stop it from leaking does not mean that you will allow it to flood your home. You will call an expert to repair it. And your relationship is not an exception!

If you cannot lovingly handle your partner’s behavior, or your partner is not respecting your boundaries or there are other relationship issues arising, call a relationship coach or marriage counselor to help you sort out your relationship problems. Marriage counseling can be essential to help couples resolve conflicts and strengthen their bond. A single fresh insight or new skill may be enough to get your relationship back on track and deepen your bond.

Final Thoughts

Every relationship has its ups and downs.

Stress, unexpected hardships, and relationship challenges intensify existing problems or can introduce new ones. If you are having problems in your relationship, don't delay. Reach out for support so that you can enjoy some peace.

Assert yourself and focus on keeping your union strong. These are just a handful of the tips you can use to survive quarantine. So, which strategies are you applying for your relationship to survive the quarantine?

If you like support from a relationship coach or marriage counseling, check out Heartmanity's Drama-Free Marriage resources.

If you'd like to contact the author, check out Hookupdate.net.