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How to Protect your Relationships in Isolation
Is confinement testing your relationships with partners, roommates or your family? We have some tips for you!
- Written by Shani Kaplan
Being in isolation can, of course, feel incredibly lonely - for obvious reasons. This time can feel more isolating than ever, especially for the highly extroverted personality types, as our usual social outings completely cease. On the other hand, most of us just aren’t used to spending every waking moment in such close proximity to our partners, family or housemates, so it can actually at times feel incredibly suffocating.
If we aren’t careful, those relationships could start to break down as flaws and weaknesses are exaggerated and emotions run high. We all know the importance of relationships for our health (read more about that here), so in light of that, how can we keep these relationships as solid as possible during this testing time?
Communication is still key
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious or any other emotions pop up, try to share them with those around you. It is normal to feel more emotional through this, and with emotions tend to be enhanced reactiveness and shortness if we are internalising any of our fears and anxieties.
Be receptive when others need to vent to you too and be generous with your listening and presence. When your isolation buddies are opening up to you, make sure to understand the differences in how you react to situations and sympathise with their feelings. Remember, we are all unique and cope differently!
Alone time
Granted, having space has always been important, but perhaps never been quite as crucial as now. And whilst that may seem impossible given our situation; we can certainly create our little havens. Make the best of opportunities to have that alone time. While government allows it, utilise your daily once-a-day-exercise alone occasionally for thought, music or a podcast and appreciate this alone time.
Within your home, you should create a daily ritual of sorts involving something like meditation, arts and crafts, journaling, reading, baths or any other activity you receive joy from. Use this ritual when you’re feeling a bit claustrophobic and take care of yourself.
Keep things light
The news alone is enough to seriously freak us out and enhance the feelings we already are experiencing. Why not bring some joy and laughter into the household? Whether this is dusting off an old board game, or video game on Nintendo, Xbox or PlayStation, this is the best excuse to have some games nights together.
If you’re cohabitating with a partner or roommate, why not have cooking nights. You can cook together or take it in turns to cook for one another and have themed nights like “Taco Tuesdays”. If all else fails, put on a brand new TV series and binge watch one of the latest shows. There is no shortage of those!
Don’t forget outside connections
Make sure to keep your relationships outside of the home. It is really nice to have connections with your usual loved ones to feel less isolated. Find out how they’re filling their days, reminisce about the good old days, like back in 2019. 😉 You could start a book club with some of your friends or if you want to have a really fun night, set up a video group chat and play games together. There are plenty of apps growing immensely in popularity to cater exactly for this.
Keep things light
The news alone is enough to seriously freak us out and enhance the feelings we already are experiencing. Why not bring some joy and laughter into the household? Whether this is dusting off an old board game, or video game on Nintendo, Xbox or PlayStation, this is the best excuse to have some games nights together.
If you’re cohabitating with a partner or roommate, why not have cooking nights. You can cook together or take it in turns to cook for one another and have themed nights like “Taco Tuesdays”. If all else fails, put on a brand new TV series and binge watch one of the latest shows. There is no shortage of those!
Don’t forget outside connections
Make sure to keep your relationships outside of the home. It is really nice to have connections with your usual loved ones to feel less isolated. Find out how they’re filling their days, reminisce about the good old days, like back in 2019. 😉 You could start a book club with some of your friends or if you want to have a really fun night, set up a video group chat and play games together. There are plenty of apps growing immensely in popularity to cater exactly for this.
Watch how you work from home
This point is directed at romantic relationships and family relationships. While we are adjusting to the new norm of working from home, make sure to set hours to switch off, it makes it hard to be present with your loved ones if you are glued to your computer.
If you’re in a family and used to both working full time, make sure to share the task of caring for the children. Teamwork will be everything to get through these trying times! Sit down and schedule and work out where you can both compromise. It will be a balancing act, but everyone is in this together.
Accept this will be challenging; choose to be kind.
And finally, give yourself this period of grace – this is new territory for us all. Bickering and arguing are almost a given, and that is okay. Try to choose kindness in these times and understand where the issues are really arising from. Bring awareness into your emotions, and blame the situation, not each other.
If prior to isolation, you were already dealing with issues, try and hit pause on those problems for now; as this crisis should take priority. Empathise with those in your household, and recognise the obvious strain everybody is feeling right now.
Finally, try to show gratitude for the small things and the little victories of getting through each day; hopefully with more happiness and light by following the above steps. 💕
Shani Kaplan
Shani Kaplan is a contributing writer for Truth Origins. She combines her knowledge gained from working within the fitness/wellness industry in Sydney and London for the last seven years as a Personal Trainer, and class instructor, with her addiction to research as a result of her BA in Business Marketing. Shani loves martial arts, resistance training, dance and yoga, nutrition, travel, design, photography, and art.
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