Couples in lockdown

Covid-19 has forced us to think more about issues of sickness, death, job loss, finances and as our individual anxieties heighten, it is easy to turn on each other, especially if our emotional or behavioural reactions to stress are different.

 With all this individual challenges and the reality of spending much more time together in the same space, you might want to consider implementing some coping strategies:

 Create space for yourself

 Together decide which spaces can be used for one of you at certain times when either of you feel the need to be alone or wanting to read a book, listen to music or watching a tv program on your own.

 Encourage and look back with fondness

 Try to verbally acknowledge positive efforts by your partner. When we appreciate our partner’s strengths we transport ourselves to days when we felt closest. Also, people who regularly practice appreciation and gratitude become reliably happier and healthier.

 Develop new routines

 It is important to build surprise, spontaneity and variety into couple’s routines. New joint activities can also lead couples to lead couples to learn new things about each other, feel happier and closer.

 Build intimacy

 Introducing more touching and affection on a daily basis will help reigniting warmth and tenderness in a relationship.