Tips for Couples During Social-Distancing

In this time of uncertainty, many people find themselves self-isolating as a way to protect themselves and others in the community. For many of those practicing social-distancing, it means spending more time alone with your partner than any other time in your relationship. In today’s post, we are going to provide you with a few tips on how to survive with your partner during social-distancing so that your relationship is still intact when it’s safe to resume your normal daily schedule.

Once the country has given the all-clear to end social-distancing, you may feel as though you and your partner need to work some things out. Luckily, at Long Island Counseling, we offer a variety of services to help you and your partner get back on solid ground. Whether you’re interested in working on your own problems with individual therapy or you would like to work with your partner in couple’s counseling, our licensed therapists are here to help with it all. Learn more and give us a call to request an appointment!

Surviving Social-Distancing

Social-distancing is important for many reasons, and in the beginning, you may have looked forward to spending more time with your partner. However, as time progresses, spending that much time in close quarters with your significant other can cause strain on the relationship. Because social-distancing is a result of stressful and uncertain times, it can leave people feeling scared, vulnerable, anxious, and more. As a result, these feelings can sometimes lead to irritation or frustration, which can make the living situation with your partner even worse. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the situation as stress-free as possible.

Make a Plan

In the early stages of your social-distancing, sit down with your partner and create a plan for how you will both deal with stress and tension should it arise. It’s unclear how long social-distancing will be necessary, and it’s not uncommon for tempers and frustrations to flare. The last thing you want is to make the situation worse by fighting all the time, so it’s best to be clear about how to handle tension-filled situations as they come up. For example, maybe you and your partner come up with a word or signal that you can use when the other person is getting on your nerves. Using this signal will tell the other person that you need some time in a separate space before emotions get out of hand.

Create Your Own Space

The best way to avoid conflict and tension is to create a separate space for each partner. Space is important in any relationship, but it’s even more necessary when you’re isolated together 24/7. If there are extra rooms in your home, consider turning one or two of them into a safe space. It can be a space where you can shut the door and enjoy some time for yourself, whether you decide to read a book, watch some TV, or even take a nap. If there aren’t any extra rooms in your home, consider talking to your partner about alone time together. The idea is that while you may be physically in the room together, you don’t necessarily have to interact with each other for a small period of time each day.

Interact With Other People

If the only person you’re interacting with is your partner, then you are sure to get bored or annoyed with them quicker than you might like. One way to avoid this is to make sure you interact with other people as well. Call up some of your friends and spend some time on the phone with them talking about your day. Do you usually attend a weekly happy hour? Don’t change the tradition! Schedule a virtual happy hour with your friends where you video chat while having drinks at home. You may find that spending some time with other people, even if it’s just virtually, can help make the time with your partner a little easier.

Contact Long Island Counseling!

Despite your best efforts, you may find that spending all of that time with your significant other hurt your relationship. If that’s the case, then Long Island Counseling is here to offer our support. We offer couple’s counseling, individual therapy, and more to help you work through your problems and live a happier life. Explore our website to learn more about all of the services we offer, and give us a call today to schedule a couple’s counseling session!