Falling in love is one of life’s greatest gifts. But it definitely has its challenges.
Let’s face it, intimate relationships can be complicated affairs. One minute you’re whispering sweet nothings to each other. The next, you’re squabbling like school kids.
Moreover, the experience of being ‘in love’ doesn’t last that long. The initial swooning, crooning, can’t-keep-your-hands-off-each-other phase typically continues for a grand total of 12 months!
It’s no wonder that many people struggle to know how to maintain a relationship in the long term. Frankly, they’re hard work at the best of times. And now COVID-19s struck, they’ve suddenly become even harder!
Whether you’re isolating together or apart, the current pandemic presents a host of problems for couples everywhere. Are you looking for advice on weathering the storm and coming through it even stronger? Let us help.
Keep reading for 7 essential tips on maintaining a healthy relationship throughout coronavirus.
Sustain Healthy Romantic Relationships When You’re Isolating Together
Self-isolating with your partner can be tough.
You’re in each other’s space all the time, away from your usual social circles and with little to do. Needless to say, the whole experience can put a strain on the relationship!
Here are a few top tips on dealing with the particular problems you might come up against:
Communicate Your Feelings
Communication is one key to maintaining any relationship.
However, now that you’re in lockdown together, it’s more important than ever before. Be open with each other, express your feelings, and tell each other when something’s wrong.
The last thing you want is to leave things unsaid. Frustration can lead to anger, which is the last thing you need in what’s already a tough situation. Having an honest, mature, grown-up conversation will clear the air and ensure you work together better.
Keep the Intimacy Alive!
A thriving sex-life can work wonders too.
Let’s face it, there’s not a lot else to do! You may as well jump in the sack to do something productive with your time!
More importantly, though, physical intimacy is a sure-fire way to bring you closer together emotionally as well. Is Lockdown stress getting in the way of your libidos? Natural remedies, such as Alpha Male Plus, can help restore order and get you back into the groove.
Have Housebound Date Nights
Just because you can’t go out doesn’t mean you can’t go on dates!
It just takes a bit of creativity. You can’t beat a nice home-cooked candle-lit dinner. How about a movie-night, curled up on the sofa together with popcorn? Maybe you could look back through old photographs while sipping on wine and reminiscing about the past.
Whatever you do, these ‘dates’ can be a life-line for your relationship.
Find Ways to Spend Time Apart
Being in lockdown together can be an intense experience.
After all, things like work and social commitments often break up the time you spend as a couple. With those option unavailable, though, you’re left with nothing but each other’s company.
That newfound time together might have been nice to start with! But it can become increasingly difficult as the days turn into weeks.
Try forging some time for yourselves. Spend evenings in different rooms, go on walks (if you’re allowed) without each other, and have some ‘alone time’ where possible.
Sustain Healthy Relationships When You’re Isolating Apart
Self-isolating away from your partner is full of its own unique trials. With no end to social distancing in sight, this enforced separation can be hard to bear- especially if you were in each other’s pockets before it.
Read on for a selection of top tips for handling the distance and its associated challenges:
Respect the Rules
Being away from the person you love can be torturous. All you want to do is leave the house, hop in the car, and go to see them in person.
However, remember that the rules are in place for a reason. Don’t risk spreading the infection! As challenging as the situation is, it won’t last forever. Hold onto the fact that you’ll be able to see each other soon, and endeavor to do your part in slowing the spread of the virus.
Communicate!
Communicating via phone/video call is essential when you’re unable to see each other in person.
Don’t, and it can start to feel as if you’re not in a relationship at all.
Make time in your day to call and talk through how you’re feeling. However, know that the content of the conversation is less important than the act of having one! It’s about staying in touch, expressing your love for one another, and being part of each other’s life in lockdown.
Get Inventive with Virtual Dating
Try experimenting with virtual dates as well.
There’s nothing stopping you from watching the same movie at the same time of night and staying on the phone throughout. Maybe you could both have a glass of wine together over a video call, eat dinner together in the same way, or even play virtual games.
Once again, it’s about making the effort, having some fun, and doing what you can to make a bad situation better.
Send Gifts to Each Other
Think about sending each other surprise gifts as well! There’s no surer sign that they’re thinking of you, care for you, and love you- even in your absence. In a difficult situation, these glimmers of light can provide a mighty spark of hope.
Exactly How to Maintain a Relationship During Covid-19
Relationships are rarely easy. They’re full of ups and downs- trials and tribulations. Navigating them and staying committed to one another over the long haul can be hard work.
Throw COVID-19 into the mix and you’ve got an even bigger challenge on your hands! Whether you’re social distancing alone or with your partner, the pandemic has created a mishmash of unique problems for couples to overcome.
Hopefully, though, the tips on how to maintain a relationship in this post will help. Read more articles like this one by searching ‘relationships’ on the blog now.