Marriage During The Pandemic: How To Keep Your Relationship Alive
Singles aren’t the only ones that have suffered amid the pandemic. Sadly, many marriages are on the brink of divorce. The pressures of current times caused new problems while exacerbating old issues in the relationship. Everything from finances and lack of intimacy came to the forefront, causing couples who were married for years to reach their breaking point. If this has happened in your marriage, don’t lose hope just yet.
Coping with life during a pandemic, raising a family, and maintaining a healthy relationship with your spouse isn’t easy. Although separation or divorce may be necessary for some people, these options should be a last resort (unless the marriage is violent or toxic). When couples take the time to identify the source of their problems and make positive changes, they can often withstand the test of time. Continue reading to learn more about keeping your marriage alive during the pandemic.
Address The Elephant In The Room
Unaddressed problems sit and fester until they get out of control. Although you may consider it as trying to get through the day, ignoring marital issues is the wrong approach. The moment you start to feel that something is wrong, you and your partner need to bring it to the forefront. Express what you’re feeling and why and allow your partner to do the same. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of miscommunication that’s causing your problems in the first place.
Identify The Problem
If the issue is more profound than miscommunication, you must identify the core cause to develop an effective solution. For example, maybe you’re feeling isolated because your husband doesn’t show emotional or physical intimacy anymore. Through discussion, you learn that your partner is stressed at work or dealing with a health problem like erectile dysfunction or alcohol addiction. Now that you’re aware of this, you can learn more about what causes ed or how addiction works and the steps to supporting your partner as he gets help.
Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, the problems in your marriage stem from deep-rooted issues from you or your partner’s past. Other times, you can’t find a resolution because you can’t see eye to eye. Having a licensed professional as an unbiased third-party makes a big difference. Through talk-therapy, they can pinpoint the core cause and help you to develop strategies to overcome the problem.
Make Time For Each Other
Whether you’re both working or at home, obligations can get in the way of your marriage. The distance between you begins to cause a rift that only grows with time. Resolving this marital problem boils down to making time for each other. Carve out 15 minutes in the morning and evening to talk about things that are going on in your life. Spend an hour or two every day laughing, watching tv, or cuddling. You should also be intentional about date nights.
Simplify Your Life
Everyday life has changed over the past year. Routines, schedules, and structures that were once effective for your household may no longer work. Perhaps the reason your marriage is strained is that life keeps getting in the way. By simplifying your life and creating a new normal, you can relieve some of that stress and begin the process to revive your marriage. Create a new schedule and routines. Don’t be afraid to utilize resources like apps, friends, and family wherever you need assistance.
Both marriage and life can get hard at times. It’s when the adversities of life hit hard that the strength of your relationship is tested. While no relationship is perfect, when these pressures cause you to contemplate separation or divorce, they need to be resolved. Things like addressing the elephant in the room or simplifying your life are effective ways to keep your marriage alive. If necessary, consider talking with a licensed relationship counselor for further guidance. At the end of the day, if your marriage is over, at least you can say you did everything you could
