Many of us are not used to simply spending 24 seven with our families, significant others… Etc. We can love them very sincerely, however during these difficult times and the big changes in the relationship dynamics, this will challenge the relationship greatly. So is there a way to actually use this time to connect better and improve our relationships during the quarantine instead of just getting by?

Mary Jo Rapini, M.Ed., LPC, The psychotherapist and relationship expert, gave us those five tips.

1 The little things

Small gestures can go a long way. Your partner is stressed? You can actually go out of your own way just to do something nice. For sure most restaurants are closed to go eat there, but you can still order in their favorite meal. Make them some coffee in the morning. It’s the thoughtful gesture that will show your partner that you care.

2 self-care is also important

You can’t fully depend on your partner to make you happy. Remember it’s not their job, and most likely it’s not their fault either.

This time can be very stressful to all of us, however if we take it out on our partners or family members, this will only complicate things more. To refrain from putting all the blame and pressure on your loved ones, remember to take care of yourself first.

Read that book that you always wanted to read, start that exercise routine that you wanted… Etc.

Achieving those things will bring you relaxation and joy. You will be able to maintain stable emotions.

3. It’s all about expectations

Please don’t expect your life to be a romantic movie. This is real life. Things are never easy in real life. It’s not the same when you are living with someone all day long, no breaks, especially when you’re not certain about so many things like your job, what’s going to happen to it, what’s going to happen to your family, and your whole livelihood. So you need to be patient and kind to everyone. Eventually it will all go back the way it was, but now our expectations need to be flexible and we need to be here for our loved ones.

4. Communicate openly

You can’t imagine the amount of unnecessary conflicts you can prevent, just by telling your partner openly and honestly what you need. It also helps you avoid saying something you can regret later. Explaining honestly what you need will help your partner to actually respond with more love and respect, especially in an emotionally intense situation.

5 show appreciation

We all fall in the common mistake of taking our partners for granted, although we know deep inside how great they are. You can actually use this time to start telling them how great they are, in words and actions.

It’s recommended to start telling your partner one thing you really appreciate about them each day. Trying to find one thing each day will actually help putting things into perspective when it comes to how much you appreciate and love your partner.