With the break of the virus, our lives have suddenly taken an unwanted turn. This is also the time when the strength of relationships are affected as people are forced to stay in close proximity (partners working-from-home, individuals who are quarantined, individuals forced to close their workplace, children and youngsters as colleges, malls, cinemas close down). However, this can also be perceived as an opportunity to strengthen your relationships and overall have a healthy relationship.
Share responsibilities
It is important to share responsibilities around the house including chores and child care. Both of you are grappling with the changes in your daily schedule while coping with online meetings with clients and colleagues. Ask your spouse how you can help them in shouldering these responsibilities to avoid additional stress for both of you about coronavirus. Take turns doing different chores so that neither of you feel too burdened with the additional workload.
Give each other space
Find some activities that can be done together and some that you both can do alone. It is always good to give each other space. Even couples who profess to be madly in love need a breather from time to time. Since you’re physically locked in, discuss the concept of being aloof for a certain amount of time during the day to ensure neither of you feels too overwhelmed by being around the other all the time.
When you take time for yourself, don’t forget to take care of your own mental health as well. Wysa has released free tool packs to help manage any stress or anxiety.
Be more understanding
It is important that the homemaker does not expect that the spouse working from home would engage with them at a one-to-one level at all times. And it is also important for the latter to remember not to overburden the home-maker. It is important that the homemaker does not expect that the spouse working from home would engage with them at a one-to-one level at all times. And it is also important for the latter to remember not to overburden the home-maker.
Find a shared activity that will sweeten the homebound experience for both of you. If you’re the partner who’s working from home, take a break from your schedule to surprise your partner with a freshly prepared meal of their choice. As the home-maker, take a breather and come up with interesting board games that the two of you can play to unwind.
Communicate more
Accept that more conflicts/arguments may occur. It’s natural, considering the multiple anxieties that we are facing in the current scenario. You may be nervous about losing your job or having to accept a pay cut while your partner may be struggling to keep up with the kids’ online class schedules. Tell each other what you’re going through. If you are feeling depressed during this quarantine, communicate with your partner. Be empathetic towards your partner’s concerns and help them remain positive. Try to resolve any arguments as quickly as possible without letting any trivial issue snowball into something bigger. Love and understanding is the need of the hour.
Wysa has certain self-help tools such as a “relationship” and a “positivity” pack that can help contribute to strengthening your relationships. And if you are a parent, here is how you could take care of your children during COVID 19.
