Five tips to keep your relationship healthy during a pandemic

Romantic relationships are tricky to navigate at the best of times, but throw a global pandemic into the mix and they can prove to be extra challenging. Travel restrictions, local lockdowns, rules of six and existential threat can add to the tensions of life as a couple. Whether it’s because you can’t be with your partner, or the fact that you’re spending a little too much time together in joint isolation, here are five tips on keeping your relationship healthy during Covid-19.

Work out working from home

Whether one or both of you are doing the usual 9-5 from home, it’s important to decide on the ideal way to do this. Make sure you know each other’s schedule should you require a quiet hour for a work call and don’t want to be interrupted. If there isn’t enough desk space find a fair way for you to both do the work you need to do. Additionally, it’s good to set boundaries between “work” and “hours spent together” as these lines can be blurred.

Give each other space

Isolating from home, particularly in a small space, can leave couples feeling really on top of each other. Whether you’re both WFH or can’t even leave the house due to a positive test, it’s vital to work out what works best for both of you. Though for some homes physical space may be difficult, figure out a way that allows you both to take a breather from one another. While a partner may enjoy doing shopping online and sipping a cocktail, the other may prefer playing games such as Fortnite Battle Royale or simpler ones like casinos not on Gamstop.

Learn how to communicate from a distance

Coming from someone who has experienced both sides of the Covid-19 relationship coin – meaning I spent two and a half months in lockdown with my boyfriend and then was unable to see him for another two months – communication is everything. Being apart from your partner can be really hard and you might have different expectations of how often you feel you should speak. Tell your partner what you need from them and ask them the same, this way you can know how and when to be there for each other. 

Go outside together

For those who can, going outside can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Take a long walk together for a chance to talk about things outside the mundanity of domestic life and spend some time with each other. 

Don’t forget about the romance

You may be far apart or locked up together, but don’t forget why you’re in a relationship in the first place. Set aside time to focus on the two of you, whether that’s a romantic home cooked meal, a movie night or a netflix date over zoom.

The editorial unit