The Effects of a Pandemic on a Romantic Relationship
The COVID-19 pandemic has had many effects on the world around us. Whether it’s with the economy, world politics, or even in our own homes, we have all felt the effects of increased isolation and social distancing.
Many couples and families were required to spend more time than ever together, especially during the first year of the pandemic during quarantines. Other couples were forced to spend more time a part, if they were long distance and had to quarantine in separate households, or if a member of the couple was a medical professional or other essential worker.
Whatever your situation, the pandemic has had an impact on your relationship. What exactly are those effects on our romantic relationships?
According to a survey conducted by the American Family Survey, over half of the respondents said the pandemic has increased their appreciation for their partners. And just under half reported that it helped deepen their commitments to their relationships.
However, there are several factors that can prove challenging for those in relationships. These include:
Lack of excitement
If you predominantly work from home now instead of in an office, your days can start looking a little mundane. You likely have a routine and your weekdays look pretty similar. This, coupled with an increased time spent with your partner, can lead to feeling stir-crazy. Monotony can also lead to feelings of numbness and start to dull your feelings.
You’ve likely sported more comfortable attire and put less time into your physical appearance due to the increased time at home. If you’ve noticed that you’ve spent less time cultivating romantic attraction between you and your partner, your bond may have weakened over time.
Lack of responsiveness
The news around the dangers and risks of the pandemic are constantly changing. The CDC recommends new quarantine times and mask requirements often. It can be hard to keep up. This, coupled with other world news and political strains can lead to increased stress.
When we experience increased stress, we’re less likely to notice how our partner is perceiving that stress or how they are feeling. Understanding emotions and perceiving your partners stress are extremely important for a healthy relationship.
Adjusting to a new work/life balance
The pandemic likely affected your work/life balance. If you are an essential worker, you saw longer, more stressful shifts. If you transitioned into working remotely, you’re likely spending more time in your home than ever.
If you are a medical professional or essential employee, you are more susceptible to exhaustion and likely have less emotional bandwidth for your partner. If you’re working from home, you may start to feel some burnout or lack of motivation that can transfer to your relationship.
So how can we combat these negative factors with our partners? How can we keep the relationship exciting and fun and avoid going a little stir-crazy? Here are a few tips.
Keeping your relationship healthy
1. Self-care
It’s important to take care of ourselves. If we feel confident and healthy, it will have positive impacts on our romantic relationships. Focus on getting good sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, working out and leaning into your hobbies.
If you’re feeling burnt out, schedule mid-day activities like yoga stretches or a walk. They can help break up the day and energize us.
2. Get outside
Speaking of walks, sometime outside can be very beneficial to our relationships. If you and your partner are feeling cooped up in your home, try getting outside. Go for a hike or eat lunch outside picnic-style. It’s a great way to reduce stress and strengthen connections.
3. Limit your workday
If you are working from home, set some boundaries around your workday. Instead of being available all hours of the day, set a strict schedule of 8 AM until 5 PM. And when your workday is over, close your laptop and leave it behind until the next morning. Focus on your partner or family in your off hours.
4. Lean into your support system
With the increased stress of the pandemic, lean into your other support system. No matter how responsive or understanding your partner is, it can be a lot to stress dump on them every day. Call your family and friends more often to disperse your stress.
5. Plan something fun
If you are able, try planning a trip with your partner. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, in fact, it could just be a daycation to a nearby town. Having something to look forward to and experiencing new things together can have positive impacts on your relationships.
Do you and your partner need support with your relationship? Please reach out to us. Our team of therapists is here to provide support and guidance. We look forward to connecting with you.
