Introduction
Relationships can be a double-edged sword. When things are going well, they have a positive impact on your physical and mental well-being. However, when things begin to go even slightly awry, perhaps little else in life can be more damaging.
Yet, there are hardly any relationships in the world without any stress. Relationship stress is typical from time to time. However, there is a silver lining in knowing that there is a way out of it. Understanding and overcoming relationship stress strengthens relationships even further.
In this article, we will seek to understand what relationship stress is and how you can manage and strengthen relationships despite it.
Understanding the Roots of Relationship Stress
Relationship stress is feeling stressed out in your relationship. If this is allowed to fester, it can be detrimental to your physical and emotional well-being. It can be damaging to the other person as well. For instance, arguments are not uncommon in a relationship. However, constant and unproductive arguments can be a source of relationship stress. On the other hand, when people can disagree with one another in healthy ways, then it can be productive for the relationship as well.
So, we shall begin by understanding the roots of relationship stress, as it is the first step to overcoming relationship stress.
Common Causes of Stress in Relationships
Conflicts
Unresolved conflicts are among the most common reasons for stress in relationships. In fact, as per Gottman and Levenson’s research, 69% of the problems within a relationship arise from unresolved conflicts. Therefore, productive conflict resolution skills are crucial to mitigating relationship stress.
Early Experiences
Early childhood experiences, especially attachment patterns, can have an impact on the different relationships in life. Insecure attachment patterns play out in unhealthy ways in relationships.
A Lack of Trust
Trust, once lost, is very difficult to get back. It is also a very common reason for stress and anxiety in relationships. Lies, infidelity, and a general feeling that you can no longer rely on the other person can lead to a lack of trust in relationships.
Jealousy
“Where there is love, there is jealousy” is something you might hear very often. Yet, jealousy is a common reason for stress in relationships. It can impact both the persons involved in a relationship and can be very damaging to the well-being when it gets out of hand.
Negativity
It is common to feel negatively about relationships once in a while. However, daily negativity gives rise to relationship stress. It can drain out the fun of a relationship and make it tedious.
Prolonged Stress
Yes, stress in itself can give rise to relationship stress. Even if one person is impacted by chronic stress, then it can affect both the persons in the relationship. Hence, stress management is a crucial skill to have in life. Not only does it help in managing stress, but it also helps reduce the strain on interpersonal relationships.
Recognizing Early Warning Signs
There are certain early warning signs you need to be aware of so that you do not let relationship stress out of hand:
You are not happy or content. This is the most prominent sign of relationship stress. Previously, if a relationship gave you happiness, now it’s making you unhappy. You simply do not feel the same way anymore.
Intimacy has reduced. The intimacy in the relationship, which was once profound and passionate, has reduced to a great extent and become almost non-existent.
You wish to be left alone. Being with your partner does not give you the same joy as it once did. You find yourself wishing to be more and more alone most of the time.
You find your partner annoying. Even the things you once liked about them become annoying. In fact, you might often become frustrated and find yourself criticizing them.
You lose patience often and are quick to anger. In fact, most of the time, your anger responses may even be disproportional.
You have become anxious and perhaps even paranoid. This is indicative of a lack of trust, usually in cases where there is a sense of betrayal.
Strategies to Manage Relationship Stress
Improve Communication Skills
Conflicts in relationships are not uncommon. However, to resolve conflicts in a productive manner, having healthy communication skills is important. Therefore, improving communication skills is necessary. It requires both of you to be open with one another, actively listen to one another, and directly yet gently put forward both of your points of view.
Practice Gratitude
It involves being thankful to your partner and appreciating them for who they are and how they have contributed to your life. Share compliments often, leave thank you notes, text and call more often if you are away from one another, and ensure that the other person feels praised and appreciated.
Give Each Other Space
Healthy boundaries are vital to relationships as much as time together is. Therefore, draw boundaries and give each other the space the person needs to have a life outside of the relationship so that it does not become all too suffocating.
Share Responsibilities and Goals
Remember, in a relationship, you are a team working together toward the same goals. Ensure there is a sharing of responsibilities and dreams. This allows you to be on the same page and prevents one person from taking on too much.
Tips to Strengthen the Bond
There are certain tips you can follow to strengthen the bond in a relationship. These are simple yet effective. If carefully cultivated, it can work wonders for your relationship.
Make Time for Each Other
In the busyness of life, it is often easy to take what you have for granted. Even relationships. Therefore, make time for each other. Spending intimate moments together every day, and if you are not with one another, then consistently calling or texting are some things you can do to spend time with one another.
Respect and Appreciation
Respect must always be upheld in relationships. Respect your partner and their presence in your life; ensure you do not overstep the boundaries at any point in time. Be thankful to your partner and make them feel appreciated.
Support Each Other
It comes with being a team. Support your partner; let them know you have their back and that they can rely on you for anything.
Final Reflections
The first flush of a relationship is like a bed of roses. However, after the honeymoon stage, it is typical for conflicts to develop and give rise to relationship stress. During these times, you might find yourself feeling that the happily ever after is the stuff that fairy tales are made of. However, in reality, it is a choice.
Working on your communication, respecting and appreciating one another, and making time for one another are some of the many things you can do to overcome relationship stress and keep your relationship thriving.
Author bio:
Dr. Ryan Peterson is a board-certified physician specializing in pain management and addiction medicine. With personal experience in recovery, he is dedicated to helping patients overcome substance use and manage pain with compassionate, personalized care.
