{"id":58130,"date":"2020-05-19T09:48:03","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T09:48:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/communication\/effective-communication-with-spouse-in-quarantine\/"},"modified":"2023-03-06T10:59:54","modified_gmt":"2023-03-06T10:59:54","slug":"effective-communication-with-spouse-in-quarantine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/communication\/effective-communication-with-spouse-in-quarantine\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips for Effective Communication With Spouse in Quarantine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"CheerfulDo you find yourself looking up on the internet, “how to meaningfully connect with a partner,” or  “improve communication with spouse” during these unprecedented times?<\/span><\/p>\n

In the age of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, many couples are spending more time together than ever before.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For some, this has presented <\/span>new relationship challenges<\/a>, creating conflicts, hurdles, and unprecedented hardships.<\/p>\n

Stress and anxiety have dramatically increased worldwide<\/span><\/a>, which has inevitably impacted marriages. As we all struggle to manage our emotions and navigate these times, it’s important to maintain a strong bond with your spouse through successful communication.<\/span><\/p>\n

This might mean more frequently using the communication tools you and your spouse already use or implementing new communication strategies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Communication during quarantine is no easy feat. Below you’ll find a list of tactics and tools that will help you and your spouse meaningfully connect and effectively communicate during quarantine.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>1. Honesty first<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now is not the time to hide anything from your partner.<\/span><\/p>\n

B. If you <\/span>need some space<\/span><\/a>, say so; if you’re feeling scared, tell your spouse; if you’re upset, let them know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check-in with each other on a deeper level, “how are you really”, at least once a day.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Being direct is essential, so is swiftness.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, why is effective communication important? <\/span><\/p>\n

Because, it’s easy to let resentment build when you’re staying home together, so <\/span>if you feel annoyed or hurt by your spouse’s actions, be quick to communicate that (<\/span>using “I” statements<\/span><\/a>) and talk it out.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>2. Keep dating<\/span><\/h2>\n

Just because you’re in quarantine does not mean you should stop dating!<\/p>\n

In fact, prioritizing in-home dates and creating special moments is much more important in this environment.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Shared activities can spark communication, help you connect on a deeper level, and remind you that you married someone amazing, and together you can get through anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schedule time for dates<\/span><\/a> weekly and think outside the box to find new exciting ways to spend time together while staying home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Need help crafting at-home dates?<\/span> Here are some ideas<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>3. Divide up the duties<\/span><\/h2>\n

On how to communicate better with your spouse, <\/span>work with your spouse to divide up the household duties<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This includes chores, cleaning, planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and parenting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure that everything is not falling to one person and overwhelming them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

By incorporating effective communication in marriage, you can come up with a schedule to make sure everything gets done (we know, it’s not the sexiest couples activity, but it’s so important!)<\/span><\/p>\n

Since you’re at home more, your chore schedule may have to change.<\/span><\/p>\n

Increase your awareness of what needs to be done and ask each other, “<\/span>is there anything I can do to help?” often.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>4. Spend some time apart<\/span><\/h2>\n

As important as it is to carve out <\/span>time to spend together<\/span><\/a>, it’s also important to <\/span>make sure you’re spending some time apart.<\/p>\n

Downtime alone or some “<\/span>me time<\/span><\/a>” is one of the ways to improve communication in a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take a bath, go for solo walks, watch tv in separate rooms, do things that fill your cup.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you’re both working from home,<\/a> try working from separate rooms, to avoid distraction and to trick your mind into thinking you’re leaving your spouse to “go” to work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spending whole days and nights apart will make coming back together so sweet!<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>5. Express gratitude<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"RomanticExpress gratitude<\/span><\/a> as often as possible if you are aiming to build marital happiness alongside effective communication skills<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a simple one, but essential. It helps put things in perspective and is proven to calm anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank your partner<\/a> for all they do, then spend time (every day or every week), talking through what you’re grateful for – your safety, your home, your family, your pets, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>6. Speak each other’s love languages<\/span><\/h2>\n

Love languages tell us the way in which we prefer love to be expressed to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you haven’t already,<\/span> learn your spouse’s primary love language<\/a> and make sure you are speaking it during this time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This will help you connect more deeply and avoid potential frustrations\/conflicts that can come from misalignment in a couple’s love language.<\/span><\/p>\n

A better understanding and effective communication in a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>7. Do not shame or guilt<\/span><\/h2>\n

These are anxiety-inducing times, and everyone is coping differently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be very conscious not to shame or guilt your partner as they cope.<\/p>\n

If they’re ordering food three times a week, if they’re not working out as much as they used to, if they’re watching another episode of reality tv, that’s ok.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep checking in with them to see if there’s anything you can do for help.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If your spouse expresses fears or anxieties, listen, don’t discard those feelings.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>8. Get some fresh air together<\/span><\/h2>\n

Go for a socially distanced walk, go to a park, go for a long drive together.<\/p>\n

While following <\/span>CDC<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>WHO guidelines<\/span><\/a>, get outside your home, see your corner of the world, and stretch those legs- it can do wonders.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>9. Have sounding boards outside your marriage<\/span><\/h2>\n

For effective communication in a relationship, it’s important to acknowledge that there are some things you shouldn’t talk to your partner about (or shouldn’t keep talking to your spouse about).<\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure you have people outside your marriage that you can vent to and talk about your weird obsession with.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Plus, virtually connecting with friends and family can boost your mood!<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>10. Forgive quickly, assume good intent<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"HappyWe’re all doing our best to maintain and strengthen effective communication with our partner, but we’re all feeling a bit sensitive right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

So if your partner doesn’t have the perfect response or did something that made you upset, communicate why you reacted to it, and then <\/span>forgive as quickly as possible<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also watch:<\/strong><\/p>\n