Courtesy of breathing.com
Between the disarray that is life and the fact that we are so aware of mental health and disorders such as depression, we can easily get bogged down with circumstances both in and out of our control. While anxiety can upset us physically by making us sick, fatigued, and in general worn out, it can also show up in our relationships.
In order to achieve ideal relational health, we must figure out how to lessen anxiety in our lives. It might require getting more physical exercise, calming ourselves through yoga or meditation, or catching a comedy show and laughing to decrease pressure. Find whatever that channel may be to reclaim your stability and health and protect your relationship from stress.
Following are some signs that stress might be affecting your relationship.
- Your libido has decreased
You are drained, worn out, and not sleeping well. You are not in the mood to experience intimacy with your partner.
- You are taking your stress out on each other
Bad days happen. We all have challenges and experience bumpy patches. When plights appear to engulf us, though, we require a channel to let off some steam. Unfortunately, for many people, that means taking it out on their partner by picking fights over minute stuff and being excessively critical.
- You have become emotionally unavailable
Your partner is having a bad day and wants to talk about it with you. Blameless questions such as, “Is something bothering you?” will either shut you down or set you off.
- You are more dissatisfied in general
One of the negative side effects of anxiety and stress is that it can become more difficult to recognize and experience appreciation for the nice things in your life that would typically bring you joy and enhance your relationship.
- You experience anxiety
You might experience more anxiety than usual. Wherever you look you see signs of disaster. You are apprehensive, irritable, and wired. You might experience a panic attack.
Recognize when to ask for help. If untangling your worry or communicating successfully turns out to be a barrier, it might be time for assistance. Friends and loved ones can be excellent support, but sometimes their leadership does not always feel helpful. A qualified therapist or relationship coach can help you identify your feelings and work through the barriers that are holding you and your relationship back. Therapy can help you understand yourself and your relationships better, so that you can more plainly see and implement the actions that can strengthen your relationship.
