Stockpiling Relationship Solutions Part Two - Coping With My partner And Family Throughout Social Distancing

Last week I highlighted the importance of down-regulating your stress response to fear in ensuring your best chances of a healthy immune system.Let’s assume you’re now intentionally calm despite the nagging concern in the pit of your stomach of where your next packet of pasta is coming from.
 
The majority of everything has been cancelled. You’ve been relieved of the hectic child taxi service, the gym, footy club or whatever your “thing”, is closed until further notice - there’s nothing on and finances might be tight. The sound of crickets are chirping except for the tap of your keyboard or phone, working from home.
 
You turn around to see someone who seems rather nice working nearby on their PC at your kitchen bench who says their you’re spouse! How about that? It’s involuntary reconnection time. With dismay, you realise this is potentially the longest and most time you’ve ever spent together. Enter the rambunctious children home from school.  Now what?
 
Yes, you love them all but the tension is definitely on the cards so here are my top tips during social distancing:

• Keep to routines: safety and security can be found in keeping as much the same as possible. Get up and dressed at the same time. Similar recess and lunchtimes for any children at home can be calming.

• Allow space: respect everyone’s need for alone time or quiet space to work. Establish clear boundaries for working areas so everyone stays sane.

• Allocate responsibilities: everyone is now dishevelling items more often, so everyone gets more allocated tasks to tidy - no matter their age. Invite your imaginary disrespectful family member,  “Feral Cheryl” over. Everyone can loudly blame any mess on this undomesticated person to avoid pointing the finger. Hopefully, the culprit will still get the message.

• Reach out: “Social isolation” is not “social disconnection”.  Your community is still easily accessible via social media to check-in on others and anticipate what neighbours might need. Pick up the phone to be an attentive listener to others worries. What a gift you could be.

• Laugh: You won’t have to scroll too long for plenty of chuckles from memes or videos. It is healthy and still ok to laugh. The creativity to create laughs around this topic has been next level. Make your own wacky clips – you might be the next online sensation.

• Exercise: is the best anti-depressant/anxiety medication on the planet. Pump that heart rate for at least 30 minutes a day. Skip, jog on the spot or email me your daggy dance clips please.

• Entertainment: schedule in games, quizzes, conversations cards – gosh who knows what fascinating tidbits you’ll find out?

• Personal Development: More time than usual? Use this golden opportunity to read or listen to audio books of inspiring authors whilst pruning the garden? Turn your most challenging times into evaluating how you can learn to healthily respond to fear or uncertainty.

• Support a health worker: we all know someone. Offer messages of support and check-in on those tirelessly caring for others and often at risk.

Joanne Wilson is a neuropsychotherapist, relationship specialist, workshop facilitator and guest speaker. Tune into radio Salt106.5 each Friday morning for her co-host of the Morning Wakeup. Don’t miss more on these Sunshine Coast Daily articles in her “Is This Love” Podcast and download your FREE relationship resources including Great Ideas and Workbook to Stockpile solutions for super mental health throughout isolation at www.relationshiprejuvenator.com