Take Care of One Another by Taking Good Care of Yourself
Relationships are vital to our health and happiness. Our relationships with ourselves are just as important as our relationships to others. Taking care of ourselves positions us to be better partners and spouses.
Personal space
Autonomy is necessary for personal growth. It is wonderful to have space and time to yourself. There are moments in which we all know that ignoring the need to recharge would be a terrible idea!.
Moreover, taking time to do your “own thing” once in a while can actually benefit you and make you appreciate your relationships more. You will miss each other if you are apart from one another for a while. Bonus: you’ll have something to talk about. On the other hand, creating too much space is destructive and can indicate underlying issues. The difference between happy couples and unhappy ones
Fear that you cannot provide all you “should” for your partner is another common reason to build barriers. Rifts are made out of guilt and resentment, which in turn spring forth from misconception.
Remember:
No one can provide their partner with everything. One person cannot fulfill the needs of another. It makes sense that isolated couples, who are cut off from family and friends, are unhappy. They have either become codependent or too distant in their relationships, and this can lead to problems when things get tough. Detachment and a lack of support from others often limits perspective and feels destabilizing and alienating.
Happy couples, “Masters of Relationships,” often have supportive circles of friends who recognize, affirm, and celebrate their bond. By escaping the false dichotomy between independence and dependence, couples can experience growth, encouraging one another to explore their dreams.
To achieve this happy realm, couples need to build a secure, strong sense of trust.
How to build trust
Here is an activity that may help you build this trust, which will lend strength and stability to your relationship.
Though you may have some difficulties forming new patterns in your communication about certain topics, the results will pay off enormously. Try the simple changes below to begin. These are just examples, so feel free to improvise:
Your partner says, “I feeling so stressed. You might say, “Do you mind if we go for a stroll?” Or try this: How about I watch the kids while you go and then when you return, I’ll relax with a book? How about I watch kids while you go and then when you’re back, I’ll relax with a book.”
Encourage social connections
When your partner says, “I haven’t seen my friend Mike in forever. Say, “We have a video call scheduled for tonight.” It reminds me. When you’re finished, I suggest calling my friend Leslie. If you are busy with a project at home and your spouse asks you: “Doesn’t it sound interesting to join me for an online webinar on relationship communication?” then say yes. If you wish, you may add “That sounds fantastic.” Let’s do it. When we’re done, can you help me with this project?”
Taking care of ourselves adds to the health of the relationship. You can be more authentic with your partner when you take care of yourself. You’ll be better prepared to deal with the inevitable conflicts and difficulties that come along with any relationship. Take time to relax and let your partner do the same.
