Being with the person you love is one of the greatest joys in the world. But being together 24/7 during quarantine? That can be a struggle. Whether you’re one of the 26% of people who recently bought a new home, or you’ve lived in the same space for years, being cooped up can make you look at things a whole new way. If you’re looking for ways to nurture your relationship and need some help maintaining a healthy relationship during quarantine, here are a few tips you can put into practice today.
Create Alone Time
One of the biggest challenges of facing stay-at-home orders with a significant other is being in the same space 24/7. Like it or not, we often need alone time to help our relationships really thrive. That phrase, “distance makes the heart grow fonder” really does hold a bit of weight. According to certified relationship coach Rachel Wright LMFT, alone time is necessary for more than just a few moments a day.
“Everyone needs time by themselves and it can’t just be when you use the bathroom,” she says in an interview with Healthline.
She goes on to say that suddenly being thrown into an environment with your partner 24/7 when you’re not used to that is a lot to cope with. And she’s right! There’s no shame in admitting to your partner that you need alone time.
If you live in a small space, create time for yourself to watch your favorite show while your partner is in the other room or has headphones on and is facing away from you. Maybe your partner wants to practice an instrument and you stay in the other room while they do. There are plenty of ways to make it work. The key is to create a schedule for alone time and stick to it.
Get Some Fresh Air
Almost 3% of U.S. domestic product is attributed to travel and tourism. Unfortunately, that’s not happening right now. And while it’s important to abide by social distancing guidelines, there’s no reason for you not to sit outside on your front porch, lay down in your front lawn, or take a short walk around the block.
Getting outside becomes especially important as the weather gets nicer. And it can go a long way towards you and your partner maintaining a healthy relationship during quarantine, too. How? Studies have shown that even looking at a natural setting can help reduce stress. Being outside and looking at the natural environment around you can help both you and your partner relax a little. Not to mention that getting outside and walking is a physically healthy activity!
Create a Schedule
If you and your partner are both working from home and keeping to roughly the same schedule you would otherwise have at work, that’s great. If not, then you might have a little bit of work to do. Keeping a schedule can help provide some much-needed structure to your day. And it can even help you get used to being around each other for most of the day now.
In addition, schedules are often an excellent tool to help combat depression and anxiety, both of which the world is experiencing a lot of at the moment. When you have a rough schedule for the day, it can be easier for this situation to feel a little more normal.
Use Your Time Together to Your Advantage
It’s easy to feel like you’re trapped at home when you can’t really go anywhere else. But instead of looking at your home as a prison, try to view this situation as an opportunity to spend more time with your partner and maybe spend more time on your home, too.
Are you due for your once-yearly roof inspection? Now is a great time to schedule that. Been meaning to re-arrange your furniture? Have at it! Use the time that you and your partner have together to make the most of your home.
Whether it’s finally starting that garden you’ve always wanted or just doing a bit of spring cleaning, this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for. And it gives you and your partner a chance to collaborate on something you both love which is important in maintaining a healthy relationship during quarantine.
Final Thoughts on Maintaining a Healthy Relationship During Quarantine
Being stuck at home with your significant other might seem a little scary at first, but there are so many ways to make the most of this time. And remember, maintaining a healthy relationship during quarantine – and durig any other time – takes work! With any luck, these tips will have you and your partner absolutely thriving.