These tips will help your relationship survive lockdown

It’s not always easy being stuck at home when you have to spend every waking minute and do everything with the same person. We know that some problems can arise among couples (that can turn toxic), and which can even affect our mental health or that of our partner.

Perhaps you're bothered by the fact that your partner plays the same playlist on Spotify for the millionth time, or that at lunchtime, you can’t watch the latest Netflix show you’ve become hooked on, despite having recently binged the last several seasons in a row, because they haven’t seen it all yet. The key is communication, and you need to be able to do things on your own and have time for yourself.

1. Make sure to take some time just for you

This can be quite difficult, especially if you live in an apartment. You have to be able to have separate areas in your house and have a place just for you where you can do what you like in peace (read, draw, write, study, whatever you like). As comfortable as it is on the sofa with your partner, you do need somewhere just for you.

2. Don’t always eat together

At the end of the day, being under quarantine isn’t a natural way for people to live. And because of this, you have to at least try to continue living your life like you would if you weren’t in this unusual situation. That means, if you used to eat alone occasionally after falling out with your partner, you shouldn't stop doing that. It’s good for you to enjoy this time together, but you can end up getting sick of each other if you are together 24/7. Nothing bad will happen if you eat your salad in front of your computer screen every now and then.

3. Clean

This is essential, whether you live with your partner or not. It has been proven that our surroundings have an effect on our mood, so when you look around and see nothing but piles of dirty clothes and dirty countertops, don’t be surprised if you start to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. You have more time than ever now, take advantage of it and clean. You’ll thank us later.

4. The ‘bucket list’

Make lists of things that you have always wanted to do, both together and separately, that you never had time to do before. Now, there are no excuses. Do you want to learn to salsa dance? There are thousands of free tutorials and classes on the internet. Fancy learning a new language? More of the same. Doing something new and different will stimulate your brain and may even make you forget that you are going to be stuck at home for a while.

5. Have video calls

Getting all your friends together for a big video call can be a lot of fun. There is something about communicating in this way (maybe it’s the fact that if you all speak at the same time, it stops working) that can make you feel more in tune with the people you are talking to. So why not get your friends together for a big call or join a call with your partner’s friends? You might even discover new sides to your friends that you never saw before.

6. Don’t watch films where the plot revolves around relationship conflicts

Yes, it can be fun and enjoyable to watch these types of movies with your partner. But be aware that if different points of view arise, there is nowhere you can go to escape. Maybe this isn’t such the best time to open that can of worms. You have been warned.

7. Make the most of your balcony, terrace or patio

If you don’t have one, at least open your windows. Fresh air is a necessity. And above all, don’t forget that by staying at home, you are helping to stop the virus from spreading any further. Also, be grateful and appreciate the many people who still have to go to work to make sure supermarkets and pharmacies can still function and have enough stock to supply the population.