| health & wellness |
ove Under Lockdown
10 Tips to Help Couples Cope by MEGAN WISKUS
Raise your hand if you and your partner have had more quarrels since quarantine? According to experts, you’re not alone. Too much togetherness and all this uncertainty can do a number on even the most durable of duos. Thankfully, there are ways to help keep your cool amid this ongoing crisis. Submitted by Gary McDonald, Licensed Professional Counselor, Executive Director of Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center, Lincoln, 916-645-3300, lighthousefrc.org
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Make time for you.
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Be grateful.
Schedule time for activities you find enjoyable that promote physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental well-being. Examples might include yoga, journaling, meditation, baking/ cooking, hiking, listening to music, reading, or downloading a free relaxation app. Eat right, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and establish a routine that includes healthy habits. By doing this, you’ll empower loved ones to do the same. If working from home, set appropriate boundaries by not working long hours and taking scheduled breaks.
Make the ordinary special by enjoying a romantic dinner at home, giving your partner a massage, or going for an evening walk and watching the sunset. Be grateful for what you do have.
Navigating this new normal is not easy, and counseling is a very healthy way to resolve critical relational blocks. Several nonprofits offer services at no cost or on a sliding scale. Practice mindful listening when your mate shares his/her thoughts, and remember: Physical distancing is not the same as social distancing. During difficult times, we need to reach out to those who can help us heal and/or deal with our issues. Both Sacramento and Placer Counties have a social service hotline you can reach by dialing 211.
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3 Seek professional help.
