COVID-19: How It Is Impacting Relationships
At this time in our society, I’ve noticed people’s emotions get more intensified, whether it is comments on Facebook, news stories or events that have happened in person. The restrictions imposed upon us with wearing masks in stores and being limited in travel contribute to this. It makes us feel imprisoned. I am an American living in the United States specifically in Michigan. Overall, there is a lack of a sense of freedom.
We want life to get back to normal and not have to deal with the restrictions that have been imposed upon us. We have been told to limit gatherings and that we should stay safe and stay at home. We hear about growing numbers of cases in the news and what we need to do. The isolating and lonely feeling that social distancing has caused is causing more anxiety and depression in people. On the flip side, if you have a partner or kids, you may be stressed out and anxious from spending too much time with them.
Banner Health’s website has an article entitled, “Has COVID-19 Created Conflict in Your Relationship?” and recognizes how spending too much time with your partner and children during this global pandemic can make you feel more stressed. Feeling like you can’t return back to “normal life” can also create a sense of panic and fear. It takes an emotional toll on you when you can’t release yourself from the challenges that we have to face.
Technology has allowed us to connect with each other even when we are far away. Video calls, phone calls and text messages have allowed us to connect, but also remain distant. We should remain grateful for the ability to still connect with others when we want to.
On the Johns Hopkins Medicine website, the article entitled, “How to Keep Your Relationship Healthy During the Coronavirus Pandemic” gives very practical advice and things that you can do to alleviate stress and anxiety and to go about living your best life. When our state of Michigan was in strict quarantine, my fiancé and I would make meals together and go on walks in our neighborhood. We would take different paths through the neighborhood to switch it up. It allowed us to feel connected to our surroundings. I did more cleaning in the home and more decorating. We talked a lot about our future goals and gave each other space when we needed it.
Sometimes our emotions take over and we get angry or upset or just generally feel like we’ve “hit a wall.” Things that we don’t have control over that are impacting our lives can make us feel helpless.
Maintaining a healthy perspective on what is going around us will help us feel centered. There are things that we cannot control and there are things that we can control. We can choose to express how we are feeling to our partner. We can choose to establish self-care practices to improve ourselves. We can choose to look for ways to manage our emotions.
Navigation of life during this time has been uncomfortable, but we can establish new practices and routines that allow us to keep ourselves safe and healthy. It just takes adjusting and openness to change.
