If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Options
How do you deal with stress as a couple? (help me build a top tips list)
Danny!
Deactivated Posts: 560 Incredible Poster
We all have some stress in our lives, some of us quite a lot of it! Stress can really affect the way you feel about various things, and especially how well you're able to step back and understand your own and other people's problems.
Have you found yourself arguing with a partner, and then realising that it wasn't really them you felt so angry with? Do you sometimes find it hard to be around your stressed boyfriend/girlfriend?
What things cause you most stress in a relationship?
It would be really nice if we could all gather some ideas, or things that have worked for you, and hopefully we can build up a list of tips here ...
0
Comments
Also just a nice gift if you know someone's stressed. Not necessarily something expensive, just thoughtful. It can really take the edge off.
A nice walk's good too, just going somewhere quiet together like the woods or something.
My partner and I would argue when we were both tired, and I think that it's a good idea to say to the other, Im not feeling my best right now, Im edgy and need some space to calm down.
I think a need for honesty is important, and to let the other know you are not pushing them away but are needing the space to deal with your stress on your own.
I agree with this completely. Stress can have a serious knock on effect with people, especially chronic stress. If you're suffering long term from high stress levels you're going to seem out of character a lot of the time and it's so hard to tell from your own perspective. Sometimes it takes an honest word from your partner to just say "hey, you're really not yourself and haven't been for a while". Moreover, it can massively affect your health and it's important to realise how much stress can actually physically make you sick. I went to the doctors once with horrible chest pains and she ended up saying it was stress. I was amazed!
But yeah, definitely try and communicate with your partner about it. The more you both know the more you can adjust and help each other. Making that extra effort to do something nice for someone or with someone can really take the edge off too.
Doing something nice, communicating well and treating each other extra-nicely sometimes can make feelings of stress much more manageable.
And Annaarrr!!, I think sometimes going through a bit of an argument and then making up can leave you feeling closer than you did before.
And a step further is to list five activities which you can do together everyday which would make you both feel better (I think this is best seen as a target rather some you must achieve everyday).
What do you think? Would you do it?
We tend to go for a mix of ranting at each other about other things in life that are causing us stress, so then know what else is going on for the other; or talking about completely different stuff. I've also learnt that there are ways that help the boy switch off and a few dead give aways that he's a stressed munchkin and it's nothing to do with me. I can probably spot it in him better than I can myself (and vice versa). If we're together, and monster stress is going on then bringing out the massage oil makes a massive difference. Or going to the beach and paddling.
I agree - especially on a bigger scale. The more you get through, the more solid you can be as a couple.
If you’re stressed:
If your partner’s stressed: