Tips to Keep Your Relationship Healthy Amid the Pandemic

By Neil P. Oct 08 2020, 10:56 AM EDT

A psychologist and expert in relationship shares some tips and encouragements on how to keep your love as couples or partners amid the pandemic.

Valuing relationships are very important most especially in this time of the global pandemic. Ever since the stay-at-home order began, more and more couples are experiencing struggles in their day-to-day life together.

However, petty fights and relationship troubles can be avoided. You can have a healthy relationship with your partner amid the pandemic, and these tips can help.

In a published article on John Hopkins Medicine, a well-known psychologist and relationship expert Chris Kraft recommended the following tips and encouragement for couples or partners who have long been isolated due to the pandemic:

1. Maintain Self-Care and a Routine

"Self-care is essential. With everyone's schedule changed, it's important to establish and maintain some kind of a routine," Kraft stated. He also suggested to regular sleep hours, waking up on time, making the bed, and getting dressed each day.

Most of all, it is important to eat nutritious foods. He also suggested scheduling breaks just like midday yoga video or meditation session. This can help both of you to stay grounded.

2. Keep the Work day Limited

Kraft said that couples or partners who are working at home should set boundaries between work hours and time spent together.

"The anxiety caused by the pandemic may tempt some people to lose themselves in work, particularly people who invest a lot of their personal identity in their professions. They might miss the routine, the meetings, the structure that goes with that," Kraft stated.

3. Beware of Substance Use

Since most are isolated at home, there is a big probability that a person will increase habits such as smoking and drinking more alcohol. Too much alcohol can lead to an unhealthy interaction and can be the cause of your fight.

Kraft also asserted to keep an eye to a person who is in the recovery of substance use being isolated at home with no company, which can raise the risk of relapse.

4. Go Outside Together

Kraft explained, "For couples that are used to spending time in the gym, it might require some changes to keep up with fitness and exercise when you can't work out on machines or take live classes."

He also added that exercising outdoors together can help reduce stress and strengthen positive connections.

5. Broaden Your Support System

Kraft advises that your partner is still a human and no matter how amazing he or she is, any individual needs emotional support.

"It's important for both people in the relationship to stay connected with family and friends who can be available for them, especially as time wears on with continuing physical distancing measures."