Resources to Help Your Relationship Thrive in Self-Isolation by Guest Blogger, Julie Morris
(Updated 3/13/2023) Edited by Julie Ann Shahin
Photo via Rawpixel
Table of Contents
Introducing Guest Blogger: Julie Morris
Article Introduction
Resources that can help you and your partner relax at home
4 Ways to Help Your Partner Cope with Stress
Additional resources to help with stress
Faux plants to bring nature indoors to help with stress
Mindfulness: Health Benefits Beyond Stress Relief
Additional Resources For Mindfulness
Amazon Books to Read About Creating a Mindful Home
5 Health Reasons to Make Time For Cuddling
Additional Resources About Cuddling
Pinterest Inspiration For Cuddle Corners
Create Your Own Cuddle Space
25 Creative Ideas for a Romantic Date Night at Home (on a Budget)
Resources for couples to nest together
Promoting Mental Health at Home: How to Design the Perfect Meditation Room
Simple Things Every Meditation Room Needs
Decluttering: How to Get Your Spouse On Board
My Husband Won’t Let Me Decorate The House: What To Do Now
Zoom Background Ideas
Romantic Bedroom Ideas: French Country Style
Resources for couples to exercise together
Two Stress-Busting Workouts You Can Do at Home
Yoga Resource
Partner yoga doubles the pleasure and halves the stress
Resources to grow stronger as a couple
How To Make Your Relationship Stronger
You Both Work From Home - Now What?
Keys To An Effective Apology
The Power of Empathy in Romantic Relationships & How to Enhance It
All Couples Fight. Here's How Successful Couples Do It Differently
Effortless Ways to Communicate Appreciation to Your Person
Conclusion
Pins: Share the Love
Comments
Introducing Guest Blogger: Julie Morris
As this blog is about couples blending their decor, and working through their decorating dilemmas, please welcome my Guest Blogger, Julie Morris:
From her website “Julie Morris is a life and career coach.
She thrives on helping others live their best lives.
It’s easy for her to relate to clients who feel run over by life because she’s been there.
After years in a successful (but unfulfilling) career in finance, Julie busted out of the corner office that had become her prison.
Today, she is fulfilled by helping busy professionals like her past self get the clarity they need in order to live inspired lives that fill more than just their bank accounts.
When Julie isn’t working with clients, she enjoys writing and is currently working on her first book.
She also loves spending time outdoors and getting lost in a good book.”
Visit her WEBSITE
Due to the corona-virus lock-down, couples around the world are spending much more time alone together than average.
Having your partner around all the time might take some getting used to!
Be prepared to go through a bit of an adjustment period.
As the two of you grapple for personal space, practice patience, and find ways to combat boredom.
Gathered below are links that can help you do all of this.
Additionally, the links can provide inspiration for creating a relaxing couples' space.
Here are some resources that can help you and your partner relax at home:
Stress can impact our relationships more than we expect.
This is especially true when you are stuck inside with nowhere to go.
Fortunately, there are many ways to outfit your interior so that everyone has a space to call their own, and you aren't feeling frantic over things like clutter.
And if you have an opportunity, you can even create a space to decompress by working out, practicing mindfulness, or doing things together, like yoga or cuddling.
1) 4 Ways to Help Your Partner Cope with Stress
The article covers the concept of "dyadic coping", which is the idea that couples can lean on each other to help cope with stress when they are facing a challenge.
Specific examples are given to illustrate the concept, such as Pat and Sam dealing with stress from a challenge at Pat's job.
Additionally, the article discusses the benefits of dyadic coping, such as increased intimacy and reduced stress, and provides tips on how to engage in it with one's partner.
Key takeaways from the article are:
1) couples can lean on each other to help cope with stress;
2) dyadic coping has benefits such as increased intimacy and reduced stress;
3) communication, actively listening, and offering alternative interpretations of the situation are key components of dyadic coping.
Source: Depositphotos.com | Author zanuckcalilus
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO HELP WITH STRESS:
Faux Houseplants To Help Bring Nature Indoors to Help with Stress: Shop Here
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2) Mindfulness: Health Benefits Beyond Stress Relief
Mindfulness is a popular practice of bringing attention to the present moment and becoming aware of one's feelings and thoughts non-judgmentally. I
t has origins in Eastern philosophy and Buddhism but it can be practiced by anyone regardless of belief system.
There are different forms of mindfulness, such as body scan meditation, breathing meditation and loving-kindness meditation, as well as mindfulness-based therapies.
Research shows that practicing mindfulness has lasting positive effects and can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
It can also help improve relationships and reduce overeating.
To practice mindfulness, one can focus on the present moment, practice mindfulness meditation, or find alternative activities like gardening, listening to music and cleaning that can help ease into the practice.
It is important to note that there can be potential pitfalls to mindfulness so one must approach with caution and self-compassion.
Key Takeaways:
1. Mindfulness is a practice of becoming more aware of the present moment without judgement.
2. It has origins in Eastern philosophy and Buddhism, but it can be practiced by anyone regardless of belief system.
3. Practicing mindfulness has lasting positive effects and can help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, improve relationships and reduce overeating.
ADDITIONAL MINDFULNESS RESOURCES:
AMAZON BOOKS ABOUT CREATING A MINDFUL HOME
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Source: Depositphotos.com | Author Cavan
3) 5 Health Reasons to Make Time for Cuddling
Cuddling is a form of comforting physical intimacy that has numerous benefits regardless of whether it is between platonic or romantic partners. It has been found that oxytocin is released during cuddling, which increases feelings of connection and stability in relationships, and is an anti-stress hormone. Cuddling can also make people feel more socially supported, and there is promising research in the use of oxytocin nasal spray to lessen anxiety and depression. Various cuddle positions can be employed to deepen one's relationship and strengthen the connection with a partner.
Key takeaways from the article:
1. Cuddling has numerous benefits regardless of the type of relationship between the cuddlers - platonic or romantic.
2. Cuddling increases feelings of connection and stability in relationships due to the release of oxytocin, which is an anti-stress hormone.
3. Cuddling not only makes people feel more socially supported, but also may help to reduce anxiety and depression.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR CUDDLE TIME
Source: Depositphotos.com | Author monkeybusiness
Pinterest Inspiration for Cuddle Spaces: Follow Me
Create Your Own Cuddle Space
Resources for couples to nest together
4) Promoting Mental Health at Home: How to Design the Perfect Meditation Room
A meditation room is a great way to prioritize self-care and mental wellbeing in your own home. It doesn't need to be a costly or time-consuming project, and helpful tips are available to make the process easier. You can choose from different lighting, scents, colors, seating and decor elements to turn any area of your home into a peaceful and comfortable sanctuary. Freebies such as printable mindfulness activities, wall decor and an infographic are also available to support you in the process.
Key Takeaways:
1. A meditation room can help you prioritize self-care and mental wellbeing.
2. Choose from different lighting, scents, colors, seating and decor elements to turn any area into a peaceful and comfortable sanctuary.
3. Freebies such as printables and an infographic are available to help create the ideal meditation room.
5) Decluttering: How to Get Your Spouse On Board
This article discusses ways to get a spouse on board with decluttering, focusing on understanding the underlying ideas behind the need for organization, setting space limits, organizing items together, designating family (4)and personal areas, digitizing where possible, budget conversations, and leading by example.
3 key takeaways from the article are:
1) Explaining to your spouse how a cluttered space makes you feel can help them understand your perspective;
2) Designating family and personal areas can help keep the living spaces uncluttered;
3) Digitizing items and budget conversations are also useful tactics.
Resources for couples to exercise together
6) Two Stress-Busting Workouts You Can Do at Home
During this time of the coronavirus shutdown, it is important to be mindful of our mental and physical health. Exercise has many physical and mental benefits and can easily be done at home. Bethany Lyons suggests a 5-minute yoga flow to get started and Aaron Drogoszewski suggests a towel drill for those who want to really sweat and move. Both options are great for relieving stress and anxiety and improving overall positivity.
Key Takeaways:
1. Exercise has mental and physical benefits.
2. Yoga is a great way to get started.
3. Towel drills can be brutal but can be modified for any fitness level.
Article continued after these images…
7) Evolve Fit Wear created a yoga resource that families and couples can use to boost mental health, keep bodies active, and have a whole lot of fun doing it.
This article is a step-by-step guide to partner yoga poses and their associated benefits. The poses range from beginner-friendly poses (seated meditation and seated straddle forward fold) to more challenging variations (forward bend/fish pose, double plank, double downward-facing dog, supported chair/shoulder stand). Partner yoga is not just about the physical movement and its benefits. It is a great way to reconnect and deepen relationships and to practice advocating for your own needs and limitations.
Key Takeaways:
1. Partner yoga is a fun way to deepen relationships and move your body.
2. The poses range from beginner-friendly ones to more challenging variations.
3. Communication should always be at the center of the practice.
Feel free to check out all the other online resources the guide provides here:
8) Partner yoga doubles the pleasure and halves the stress
Partner Yoga is a style of yoga designed to connect people – especially couples – via the somatosensory system, using hand holding, interweaving arms, synchronized breathing, and relaxation. Through partner yoga, couples can experience the benefits of physical contact with enhanced emotional connections, release of dopamine for pleasure sensations, and reduced stress. The poses included in the article are the Coordinated Breathing, Alternating Seated Straddle Stretch, Alternating Seated Forward Fold/Modified Fish, and Partner Warrior 2 pose into Reverse Warrior Variation, along with the Shared Savasana for relaxation.
Key takeaways:
1. Partner Yoga is a way to make physical and emotional connections by exploring touch and synchronized breathing.
2. Hand-holding between loving couples has been found to promote enhanced health, overall wellbeing and even increased life expectancy.
3. Partner yoga poses are simple and accessible, and even laughter has health benefits.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOGA ROOMS FOR TWO
RESOURCES to grow stronger as a couple:
9) How to Grow Stronger as a Couple
This article provides 10 simple and easy ways to keep a marriage strong and healthy, such as greeting each other when you come home, scheduling weekly check-ins, going on dates, and sharing your daily highs and lows. It also includes other tips such as telling your partner often why you love them, looking each other in the eyes, spending time together without technology, and surprising each other. These small, consistent habits are essential in creating a strong and healthy relationship with your partner.
Key takeaways:
1. Greet your partner when they come home
2. Schedule weekly check-ins
3. Go on dates and surprise each other.
10) You Both Work From Home—Now What?
Working from home with your partner isn't always the perfect experience as depicted in movies, but it can be manageable by setting boundaries, designing private areas and coming up with a schedule, being aware of what tasks you can and can’t do when multitasking, carving out alone time, and making it special with small gestures. The key takeaway from the article is that balancing work with your partner in the same space can require some extra effort, but with the right strategies, it can be done.
Key Takeaways:
1. Set boundaries and designate private areas to create a productive workspace
2. Come up with a joint schedule and be aware of when you can and can’t multitask
3. Make it special with small gestures to foster a healthy work-life balance
CREATE A HOME OFFICE FOR TWO
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR WORKING FROM HOME WITH YOUR SPOUSE
11) Keys to An Effective Apology
This article emphasizes the importance of effective apologies in relationships and provides an example of how an effective apology can help mend any misunderstanding. It discusses an example of a "swinging volley" that can occur in response to an apology and explains how an automatic response can feel impersonal. It includes three steps to an effective apology: Bidding, Ownership, and Action. Overall, the article stresses that apologies can demonstrate compassion and help avoid future misunderstandings.
Key takeaways:
1) Apologies demonstrate that the person you are apologizing to matters to you;
2) Effective apologies are not automatic;
3) Apologies can help reduce relationship stress and build a stronger connection.
12) The Power of Empathy in Romantic Relationships & How to Enhance It
Empathy is the capacity to understand and truly get someone’s feelings and the situations associated with those feelings. It is an important glue in any romantic relationship and, while difficult to master, can be practiced through active listening, expressing oneself, and resolving past hurts. If necessary, professional help can also be sought.
3 key takeaways:
1) Empathy is not sympathy but the capacity to understand and truly get someone’s feelings;
2) Empathy is an important glue in any romantic relationship;
3) Empathy can be practiced through active listening, expressing oneself, and resolving past hurts.
13) All Couples Fight. Here's How Successful Couples Do It Differently.
There's Through communicating open and direct, giving each other the benefit of the doubt, and refraining from name-calling and resorting to low blows, healthy couples in long-term relationships are able to approach and handle arguments with finesse. Among the strategies couples apply are setting ground rules, taking turns listening and speaking, and acknowledging each other's feelings and points of view. At the end of the day, they understand that they are a team and that life will continue after the argument.
Key takeaways:
1) Communication is key to successful arguments.
2) Remember that you are a team and always be respectful of the other person.
3) Acknowledge feelings, take turns talking and setting ground rules for future arguments.13)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SUCCESSFUL ARGUMENTS AND A POSITIVE HOME
The Most Common Arguments Couples Have When Decorating & How To Resolve Them
House Cleansing: A Checklist For Clearing Bad Energy From Your Home
Foolproof Ways To Choose The Right Height When Hanging Pictures
Until Decorating Do Us Part: When Renovations End in Divorce
GREAT WAYS TO CLEAN YOUR HOME’S ENERGY AND RAISE YOUR VIBRATIONS
How to Remodel Your Home With Your Significant Other—Without Arguing Even Once
14) Effortless Ways to Communicate Appreciation to Your Person
Relationships take effort, but even small everyday actions like communicating appreciation can make a huge difference. Research has shown that expressing appreciation to a partner increases their self-esteem, boosts their desire to give back, and can even make them feel wanted and desired. Additionally, communication of appreciation is essential to maintain the bond of love between two people and avoid a stagnant, boring, or predictable relationship.
Key takeaways:
1) Appreciation is essential to foster connection, trust, and intimacy;
2) Regular expressions of appreciation can help boost a partner's own self-esteem and boost their desire to give back;
3) Emotional validation is important to show your partner they matter to you.
ADDITIONAL READING RESOURCES FOR A GRATEFUL HOME
6 Small But Impactful Ways To Show Your Partner More Appreciation
How To Show Gratitude Toward Your Home And Ignite Positive Energy, According To Marie Kondo
40 Ways To Show Your Partner That You Love and Appreciate Them
AMAZON BOOKS ABOUT GRATITUDE FOR COUPLES AND YOUR HOME
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Related Reading: HOW TO OVERCOME ANY DECORATING DILEMMA WITH YOUR SPOUSE
Building a thriving relationship takes work!
Take advantage of this time stuck inside together to work on your communication skills, learn how to argue productively, and get comfortable asking each other for space.
Remember to also make time for stress-relieving activities that will leave both of you in a relaxed and positive mood.
But also pay attention to your surroundings and ensure your home is a stress-free environment for the long haul.
With a little luck, the two of you will come out on the other end of the pandemic with a stronger relationship and a greater understanding of how to make your house the perfect place for two.
Photo: Raw Pixel | Roungroat
This article has provided resources and practical advice to help you and your partner make the most of your time in self-isolation. From relaxation and stress relief, to cuddling and creating a mindful environment, to examining the power of an effective apology, the right resources can help your relationship thrive. It is not easy to put in the effort necessary to build a strong relationship when we are cut off from the outside world and surrounded by the same four walls day in and day out. But if you take the time to explore the provided resources and actively work on developing communication skills and other strategies, you can overcome the challenges of self-isolation and come out of it even stronger as a couple. As French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist Blaise Pascal said, “The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of.” Now more than ever, it is important to make space for connecting with your partner in meaningful ways.