How social distancing can strengthen a relationship
How does a couple stay together while keeping apart? It's a question many of us had never given serious thought until social distancing became the new normal.
The current state of affairs has raised a lot of uncertainty about the future of relationships. Can a relationship survive without physical contact?
Of course it can. And not only can relationships survive without physical contact; they can actually thrive. But that requires a shift in perspective. Instead of thinking about the things you can’t do with your partner because of the lockdown, think of all the ways social distancing can bring you closer. Is your brain drawing a blank? Here’s how a lack of physical contact can create stronger emotional connections:
It Gives You Time to Slow Down
Having to stay in all the time has slowed down the tempo of our daily lives. For the first time in a while, many of us no longer have to rush out of the house to avoid early morning traffic or attend back-to-back meetings the whole day. In a sense, it feels like the Earth is spinning a bit slower, and we’re not complaining.
When the pressure of keeping up with the fast pace of the world is removed, you’re less anxious or irritable as you usually would be. This does wonders for your mental health. And as anyone who’s been in a relationship will tell you, when you’re healthy, your relationship is healthy, too.
It Makes You More Grateful
It’s easy to take something for granted when you have an abundant supply. But when that thing is taken away, you realise just how important it is. Most people greet their partners with a hug or a peck on the cheek. It’s something they had been doing for so long that it became muscle memory. But after weeks of isolation, the memory of your partner’s warm embrace or their fresh breath lingering in the air before a kiss becomes too much to bear. When you see your partner on the other side of this lockdown, no one will blame you for hugging them a bit longer than usual or kissing them like you’ll never see them again.
It Makes You Savour Time Together
Let’s admit it: keeping the spark alive can feel like a chore sometimes. After a day of slaving away at work or varsity, sometimes date night is the last thing on your mind. We’re talking about the days where you’d rather go to sleep than have an hour-long conversation with your partner. How many of those days are you having now that you can’t see your partner whenever you want to? Have you noticed how much longer your calls are now? Do you find yourself texting your partner back and forth? It’s simple: when you can’t be in the same room as your partner, you’re going to ramp up the calls and texts, and you’re going to be fully present when you do it.
While social distancing does put some strain on a relationship, it also strengthens it in many ways. And remember, your movement is restricted, but your love isn’t. You’re still free to love whomever you want.
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
