During a global pandemic, a relationship crisis can be extremely difficult to manage.

Non-essential places such as movie theatres; restaurants and malls are closed

which makes it difficult to get out of the house and go on dates. Ways to have a healthy relationship have narrowed down to hardly any options.

However, there are many pieces of healthy relationship advice in which you can continue being in a healthy relationship while in a pandemic crisis.

Maintaining healthy relationships during a pandemic crisis sounds daunting, but you can create a healthy relationship, with open and honest communication.

Communication and space during a pandemic crisis

This might mean an occasional meeting to deliver updates on what is happening, upcoming plans.

To keep a relationship strong and healthy, alongside the other healthy relationship tips, it would be a good idea to do a daily check-in that helps partners understand each other state of mind and condition.

Conventionally, before the pandemic struck us hard, the norm was for both partners to spend considerable time apart at work and home.

But during pandemic crises when companies have created the work from home arrangement for their employees and the government has mandated the lockdowns, spouses are inadvertently left with each other, joined at the hip, under the same roof.

For most of the couples being cramped up in the same house all the time has made the situation somewhat stifling, with no room for personal space.

The significance of down-time or alone time is highly underestimated, however along time or me-time could be going for a walk; going to the store; going to a separate room to read; watch television or to go on social media.

Keep things simple and light

Some healthy relationship tips to follow for couples suddenly working from home together would be to work in separate rooms. That is one of the effective strategies to maintain healthy relationships.

This may be difficult for couples who live in one-bedroom houses. If you do live in a one-bedroom house, have someone work in the living room and the other person works from the dining room if possible.

For couples who live in 2 or more-bedroom house or apartment, this would be easier. Even during pandemic crises there are businesses that are still open and going outside for a walk is ok. Essential businesses such as grocery stores are open.

If there seems to be tension in the house go to the grocery store or if that does not work, go for a walk outside. Just because there is a lockdown does not mean you cannot go outside.

Establish routines

Nobody is quite familiar with this thing called social distancing yet, and still during pandemic crises, things tend to change rapidly.

Everyday there is something new that happens, some people call it a curveball.

Healthy relationship tips include establishing a structured lifestyle. Routines in this type of situation can be helpful. Assigning roles for each day can help. Assign chores and switch them daily.

Healthy relationship tips include having a movie night, game night. Also, use video call for game nights so you can play games with your friends and relatives.

Get therapy

Therapists are now doing virtual sessions or video sessions. This means you can seek expert professional help at your own pace from the comfort of your own home.

Therapy is confidential. If you have been going to counseling prior to a pandemic crisis contact your therapist and see if they do virtual sessions or will do virtual sessions. Continuing therapy throughout a pandemic crisis can be extremely helpful in learning healthy relationship tips and ways to navigate challenges that entail in the wake of global pandemic.

Do not push for sex

No, having sex with your partner is not going to increase your odds of getting the virus during a pandemic crisis but you may find that sexual desire fall short of what it usually is. It has normal to be less interested in sex during times of crisis.

Focus on the little things

It is easy to become overwhelmed with existential dread in the face during any pandemic. This can further aggravate the matters with your spouse, making you both snappy, helpless and judgy.

Do not succumb to the pressure, just take a deep breath, and try to count your blessings and focus on the little things especially those you can appreciate with your spouse. Such small but significantly mindful actions can be the best healthy relationship tips to follow.

Being in a healthy relationship can be exceedingly difficult during a pandemic crisis. Living together, not being able to go to work, not being able to in your usual routine and having to work from home can throw things off and make life stressful.

The blog I wrote includes just few of the healthy relationship tips, which could help continue the happy partnership that you were in before the crisis.

-Habiba Zaman, LPC