1 Give yourself space.

If you’re like me, especially when you have kids at home, you understand the value of having some room to breath is important. Everyone is under some form of stress right now. Whether it is school, family, work, financial or even just the routine to have the freedom to move around has all been rocked right now. You need to give yourself the chance to reboot and breathe. According to Dr. Sherrie Bourg Carter from Psychology Today  (you should check out her article), the benefits from spending some time alone are critical, especially during times like this, in improving not only your relationships with others, but your relationship with you. She insists that solitude allows you to reboot your brain and unwind.  Time to yourself also provides time for you to think deeply helps you work through problems more effectively. I know it seems like it can’t be done, again especially if you have kids. However set aside 30 minutes, no matter how early or late, that is just your time. Go for a walk, take a hot bath, work on a project, write in a journal, listen to a (Love’s Top 10) podcast, read a (Love’s Top 10) book, or anything else, just as long as it’s just you. (forgive me for the shameless plugs)

2 Give your partner (and or kid/s) space

Piggybacking on the previous step. Not only do you need time, your partner and or kids need time for the exact same reasons. I know in some places around the country it may be a lot easier than others. But everyone needs a chance to have some breathing room so the relationships don’t strain and take a hit.

3 Communication 101 

There is no other time that communication will be more important than when you are essentially locked up or away from your special someone for a couple months. You have to realize that this situation maybe more or less stressful to the other person you. But we all will be losing something in the next couple months so take these communication tips and run with them. Probably the most important on the  Couples in Quarantine – Top 10 Tips For Relationship Survival list.

• Be honest – Now isn’t the time to play games and be dishonest about anything big or small.
• Be mindful – How this is effecting you may not be how it is effecting them. So listen to what their concerns or needs are.
• Listen to understand – Practice being a good listener, Be an engaged listener with no judgement when your partner is expressing themselves.
• Body language – Body language and facial expressions can sometimes tell a different story. Pay attention to what your sending out and what they are sending in.
• Provide POSITIVE feedback – Now isn’t the time to tit for tat or stress over the little things. Let some things slide and focus on being supportive. It much easier to be positive to someone when you feel they are being positive with you.

4 Work from different areas (and times) of the house.

Let’s just put this in perspective. If We have to be in the same house, all day, we are going to be spending the vast majority of time together anyway. allow your partner and yourself the ability to focus on what they need to get done. That way their stress won’t turn your direction if they can’t focus. If it’s possible, while you work, let them have alone time and vice versa.

5 Pick up the slack.

Yes of course we’d all like relationships to be 50-50, but anyone who’s been in a real relationship knows there are times when it feels like it’s 80-20. So this is one of those times that instead of getting on your partner, just pick up the slack. Or if you are sensing your partner is going through a rough patch, don’t wait for them to ask, just ask “What can I do to help?” Or even better, just do something that to show that you have their back. I can not stress this enough, while all of the items on Couples in Quarantine – Top 10 Tips For Relationship Survival are important, picking up the slack show’s our partner so many things. It shows you pay attention, you care, you are in it and most importantly you got their back.

6 Play games.

Finding ways to pass time can be a daunting task in the days of social media and Netflix. But find games, no matter what they are, that you and your partner can play that will take your mind off of the situation and enhance your time together. Yes games are fun, but they also make you laugh, get united as a team against something else. A reader recently wrote me telling me he was passing time working out and playing X box games with his girlfriend. The working out was for her and the X box games were for him, but it works and they’re having fun.