It can be an extremely trying time, even for the strongest of relationships, to be thrust unexpectedly into a quarantine situation. Maybe this is the first time you have spent this long together, which can be an adjustment when you’re used to working separate jobs and being able to go out socially.
For those couples, especially those who appreciate time alone as well as with their partner, being locked down at home may become more fraught the longer lockdown goes on.
As a couple, you should actively stay positive and supportive of one another during this difficult time. There are many ways you can maintain a strong relationship during lockdown and make sure that your relationship does not suffer due to the stresses of a quarantine situation.
Here are 6 hacks you should consider for ensuring that this time together is more enjoyable and valued than it is tense.
1. Respect Each Other’s Space
Being at home together doesn’t mean that you have to be joined at the hip. If you find that you need one evening spent apart for some quality self-care away from your partner, or vice versa, then you should be open and honest with each other: make sure the other person is aware when one of you is wanting space. If you have a big enough living space, this could be spending time in opposite rooms if there are any private pastimes you would like to get on with.
If you have a smaller home with open plan living which makes privacy a little more difficult, then consider the little things, such as not disturbing your partner while they are cooking or while they are taking a relaxing bath (if they request not to be disturbed).
2. Be Fair with How You Spend Your Time
You’re going to be spending a lot of time at home, which means your usual couple habits are going to be extended tenfold. If you usually have disagreements over what to watch or how to spend your time, this can easily escalate during this uncertain time when hours seem to be extending and days appear to be rolling into one.
Try to have a fair system in place in which you are both ensuring your needs are met in regard to how you spend your time. One night could be doing what your partner wants to do, and the next night could be doing what you want to do. Let them choose what to watch on TV and then you can choose the next. Try to be fair and discuss everything openly.
3. Don’t Let Arguments Escalate
Arguments are bound to happen in any relationship, but with lockdown comes the prospect of being stuck in one room with your partner during an argument, unable to leave the house or visit the house of a friend or family like you usually would. It’s important to handle arguments in a healthy fashion during this time. Be sure to talk about everything openly and don’t let anything fester. It can be difficult to change your habits when it comes to disagreements, but quarantine will be that much harder if you allow arguments to go on and on.
4. Stock Up on Essentials
Stress is going to be high if you don’t have what you need at home during this time. Be sure to check for Coronavirus Essentials to make it easier at home on you and your partner. Essentials can also be fun things for you and your partner to share, like new technology or games you can play together.
5. Use It as a Chance to Bond
Busy lifestyles and schedules always get in the way, and a lot of the time it can get in the way of romantic relationships. Maybe before the lockdown you and your partner were feeling as though you didn’t have enough time together, so now is your chance to remedy that.
Use quarantine as an opportunity to connect, to have date nights at home, and to try new things together. This could be as simple as cooking and eating a healthy meal together — a task which you may not usually be able to do because of differing work schedules, for example.
6. Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on It
Likewise, if you’re feeling as though lockdown should be the ideal time to do everything together and it’s simply not happening, try not to be stressed about it. Quarantine doesn’t mean that you should be spending every hour together. You can still treat your relationship like you usually would. Set aside time to spend properly together, and spend other hours finding your own things to do or don’t put any pressure on doing anything together. Stay natural as the couple you already were.
