How to Ensure Your Relationship Survives the Coronavirus Isolation

It’s safe to say you’re stressed right now. Don’t let it ruin your relationship. Here’s how to ensure your relationship survives the coronavirus isolation.

We hear government officials instructing us on how to practice self-isolation during the coronavirus. But no one talks about how to ensure your relationship survives the coronavirus isolation.

Most of us don’t spend hours and hours with our partners every day. We work, we have families and friends. So, in reality, the time spent with our partners is very little.

And now, bam! You’re stuck in the house with your partner for days. That’s quite the jump to the extreme if you ask me.

[Read: Could dealing with a pandemic bring you closer to your partner?]

How to ensure your relationship survives the coronavirus isolation

As someone who’s in a relationship and is quarantined with their partner, I can tell you it’s not easy. But it’s not that hard. What’s important is that you both get on the same page and communicate with each other on how you’re both feeling.

Have my partner and I fought? Of course, we have. We’ve bickered. But we haven’t had full-blown fights, and that’s because we’ve used these tips in our own relationship during this experience.

There are a couple of things you should do to ensure your relationship survives the coronavirus isolation.

#1 It won’t be a honeymoon. For some couples, they will breeze through the pandemic experience, but for most of us, it won’t be a honeymoon. Many people are getting laid off, putting stress on their financial situation, which can cause a lot of tension. Will it be a walk in the park? Probably not, but you have your partner next to you. [Read:These are 12 healthy relationship expectations for a good love life]

#2 Make communication the priority. If you want to make it through this pandemic, you’re should communicate with your partner. Make communication a priority in your relationship. It should be a priority anyway, but now is the time to focus on effective communication.

#3 Talk about each other’s needs. We all have needs, and the thing is not all our needs are the same. Your partner’s needs right now are probably different from yours, and this is the time to understand each other and be able to be each other’s support system. Know what your needs are, and know what your partner’s needs are. [Read: Selfishness in relationships and how to do the right thing]

#4 Don’t suppress your emotions. This is the worst thing you can do right now. Everyone is struggling and going through their problems, but suppressing your feelings won’t make it any better. If something is bothering you, talk to your partner about it and get it out in the open right away. Suppression will only lead to an explosion. 

#5 Check-in with each other. Just because you live in the same house doesn’t mean you know what’s going on inside their head. Maybe you’re stressed out about finances, but they’re worried about their parents. Check-in with your partner and see where they are emotionally. [Read: How to keep your relationship going while self-isolating away from each other]

#6 Love each other. Throughout the pandemic, you probably have a variety of stresses to deal with. But what you must remember is that you need to love your partner. Yes, this is a stressful time, but always remember to show affection and love towards yourself and your partner.

#7 Create a healthy routine. It’s easy to completely let go and live your life on the couch. But that’s not a healthy way to spend your time in quarantine. Instead, create a healthy routine where you complete some tasks for yourself during the day. A healthy routine will keep you mentally fresh and happy, as well as your partner. 

#8 Leave the big arguments for later. Maybe you have been piling up your emotions and are heading towards a big argument. Instead of waiting for it to explode, save yourself the time and stress by taking a break and talking about things when you have cooled down.

#9 It’s okay to take a time out. Yes, you’re living with your partner during quarantine, but you don’t need to spend every moment together. When you need some time to yourself, do things for you, and use that time to practice self-care. [Read: How to stop being codependent and have a healthy relationship] 

#10 Understand you don’t need to get everything done. You probably have a list of things you want to be done every day or before quarantine ends. But this isn’t a race. You don’t need to get everything done before the day is done. There will be some days where you and your partner just want to lay on the couch, and that’s perfectly fine.

#11 Make intimacy a part of your routine. I know it sounds like a buzz kill to make intimacy a part of your routine, but it’s easy to push it to the side. Of course, no one is forcing you to be intimate. But many people find comfort in being intimate with their partner. Plus, it helps relieve the pent up stress you’ve been feeling. [Read: How to make dealing with your partner during quarantine easier]

#12 Limit your amount of social media and news updates. On social media, everyone looks like they’re living their perfect life, but we all know that’s not true. But during this time, it’s easy to feel like your life is going downhill. Don’t let social media influence you and make you feel as though you’re less. Take a break from the unreal expectations of social media. [Read: How to keep things real when you have Instagram envy]

#13 Let the small things go. Your partner forgot to buy lemons at the market. I know you’re annoyed, but let it go. They are only human, and times are tense right now. If they forgot to turn on the laundry machine, there’s no need to freak out at them. This is a good time to let things go.

#14 Become curious about your partner. Contrary to popular belief, you probably don’t know your partner as well as you think. And now that it’s self-isolation time, you have the chance to reconnect with your partner and discover more about them. Get curious about your partner, and find out new things about them. 

#15 Respect your partner’s boundaries. Just because you live in the same house doesn’t mean you both don’t have personal boundaries. If you want to have a relaxing bath listening to some music, your partner should respect that personal time you need for yourself and vice versa. Boundaries aren’t necessarily a bad thing. [Read: New relationship boundaries – 12 lines all new couples must draw early on]

#16 Verbalize what you want. Is there something you emotionally, mentally, or physical need that you’re not getting? Instead of waiting for your partner to “get the hint,” verbalize what you want to them. Right now, there is probably a lot going through their head, and they’re not focusing on the details.

[Read: How to live your best love life with these healthy relationship boundaries]

The pandemic will eventually end, but you don’t want your relationship to end with it. Use these tips for how to ensure your relationship survives the coronavirus isolation, and stay strong together.