The COVID-19 pandemic has put many relationships under huge strain for a variety of different reasons. Common reasons for putting pressure on relationships include people suddenly spending all their time together with no break to see friends and family, as well as financial stress due to job loss or reduced salary while on furlough.
The pandemic has brought problems into relationships that could never have been anticipated and lawyers are expecting a large rise in the number of divorce petitions in the coming months and years as a consequence.
Under current law, people can only get a divorce by alleging fault on behalf of the other but the new no-fault divorce law will enable couples to divorce without ‘blaming’ either party. This should make it easier for those who believe the consequences of COVID-19 has driven them apart, rather than any individual’s behaviour. The new law will be introduced from around October 2021.
If your relationship has suffered through COVID-19, divorce is not the only option, and it is important to remember that the COVID-19 situation is improving in the UK and will hopefully continue to do so.
There are a number of ways to help maintain a healthy relationship, to avoid going down the route of divorce, including:
1. Talk about how you are feeling
It is important to keep communicating and tell each other what your main concerns are. A lot of people tend to bring up things that have been annoying them in the middle of an argument, rather than talking it through calmly, which is not constructive.
2. Stay in touch with friends and family
Maintaining the other relationships in your life can also help your relationship with your partner. Having other people to talk to and even have a little vent with, can help you to have an emotional break from your partner. Ring your friends or meet up if the lockdown restrictions allow, it is not healthy to spend all of your time with just one person!
3. Make plans for the future
Even though there is a lot of uncertainty about future travel, you can still make plans for a UK break, or doing something that you can both look forward to. If restaurants are open, go to your favourite place if you feel safe to.
4. Organise date nights
Even during lockdown when there is nowhere to go, having a date night at home helps to keep a bit of romance in the relationship. Get dressed up as if you would if you were going to a nice restaurant, get a nice takeaway or a dine in meal that you would not normally get and sit at the dining table together.
5. Get regular outdoor exercise
It is easy to get cabin fever when you are at home all of the time, so make sure you get out and go for walk at least once a day so that you have a change of scenery. Doing some exercise can also boost your mood, as you release endorphins when you are exercising.
6. Start a project together
If you are finding that you are getting bored, working together on some home improvements can help to fill time and give you both a sense of achievement. Try to avoid projects that could easily end in arguments, such as assembling complicated flatpack furniture or other activities that require a lot of skill and patience. Something reasonably simple like painting a room, or giving your garden a revamp, are better choices for avoiding arguments.
All relationships take some work but with the restrictions of the pandemic, you need to make even more of an effort to maintain a healthy relationship, so try to incorporate some of these tips.
