5 Wonderful Ways to Heal Your Relationship After COVID-19

Tim Barber • Feb 20, 2021

Counseling Alliance, LLC -learn how to your relationship

We may not fully understand the impact of COVID-19 for years to come. However, what we know now is the pandemic seems to have affected everyone in one way or another. On the spectrum of surviving, the pendulum swings drastically from side to side. As we begin to emerge after a year of change, challenges, grief, and loss, where does your relationship lie? Are you coming out stronger together, or has social distancing made its way between the two of you?

It's no surprise stress can be damaging to relationships. After all, when in survival mode, it may be easy to lose sight of your partner. Likewise, the two of you may handle challenges differently. For example, you may need emotional support, whereas your partner avoids emotion like the plague. As a result, distress can lead to unmet needs, which is likely to reduce the level of satisfaction you feel within your relationship. So, how do you heal?

In this article, we'll highlight five wonderful ways to begin to heal your relationship after a difficult year of facing a pandemic.

Assessing the Damage to Your Relationship

Although not out of the woods yet, it seems we're turning a corner in the battle against COVID-19. As we begin to look for normalcy, you may be assessing the damage. Your mental health may be first on the list. Next may be your relationship. In the face of financial, physical, or emotional distress, did you pull together or push each other away?

You may not recognize your relationship anymore. Although there was no mandate to social distance from your partner, you may have subconsciously done so out of necessity. Sleeping, eating, and working together, day after day, in addition to dealing with the changes of the pandemic, can be overwhelming. Likewise, you may not have access to outlets you turn to to keep your mental health in check. As a result, alone time rather than reconnection may sound like the best gift ever.

If you've spent a year trying to keep your head above water, there's a good chance your spouse has too. Miscommunication, distress, and a lack of normalcy can challenge any relationship. Yet, that list may sound simplistic in comparison to what the two of you are facing. If your relationship seems to be sinking, know you're not alone. There's reason to hope that healing can take place and happiness can be restored.

5 Wonderful Ways to Reclaim Your Relationship

Remind yourself what you love about your partner. It's easy to get into a pattern of blame and negative thinking. As a result, it may be difficult to interrupt the cycle. The two of you could commit to saying or writing down something you love about each other every day.
Make a gratitude list. What are you thankful for? Your daily list can include one or two things your relationship provides that you are grateful for. Being grateful doesn't replenish your bank account or instantly heal your relationship. However, it can help you shift your focus and reduce negative thoughts and emotions.
Plan a weekly date night. An important element of your relationship is connection. Therefore, spending enjoyable time together may be vital to your relationship. Although going out to your favorite restaurant may not be an option, you can take time to play a board game, cook dinner, or go for a walk. Laughing together may be what both of you need.
Set boundaries. As you work toward healing your relationship, you may need to set specific boundaries. For example, after work, rather than turning on the tv or social media for the first fifteen minutes, set a boundary that you'll talk to each other instead. Another example could be to set boundaries during date night around conversations that may ignite emotions. Refrain from discussing issues that lead to arguments. You can address stressors any other time outside of date night.
Be intentional in your efforts to repair your relationship. The two of you may be stuck in a state of overwhelm and exhaustion. What can you do to help lift your partner? How can you relieve your own stress, so you feel more functional?

What if Our Relationship Is on the Brink of Disaster?

The pandemic has brought challenges most of us never imagined we would face. If the two of you can't seem to get on the same page, a therapist may be able to help.

If your relationship isn't bouncing back, now may be a great time to address the significance of the last year. At Counseling Alliance, we're here to offer hope and guidance to couples who need help healing their relationship. We would love to talk to you.

Visit our website or call us today.

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