Written by: Kamini Wood, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Stress stems from many sources and can have a very damaging effect on our emotions, thoughts, and behavior. Likewise, stress can take a toll on our relationships, especially romantic relationships.
Here are five primary sources of stress in relationships
Stress from infidelity
If one partner – or both have had an affair, then some relationship stress is inevitable. Finding out that your partner has been unfaithful, whether it was an emotional affair or sexual infidelity, can cause significant distress.
While infidelity doesn’t necessarily have to end a relationship, moving forward can be long and painful. For a relationship to heal, you and your partner must be committed to rebuilding trust, forgiving, reconnecting, and moving on. Seeking couples counseling is a safe environment to help restore peace, rebuild trust, and learn strategies to cope with stress in your relationship.
A lack of commitment
You are in a relationship, but you somehow aren’t sure whether this relationship is the one you should commit to. In general, you and your partner get along well, but a part of you is unsure if the two of you are a good fit.
You might ask yourself whether you want the same things from life, doubt your willingness to give up your independence or question if you wish to stay open to other options. Sometimes, you may feel as though you are roommates, not lovers. These and similar thoughts may be stress-provoking and gradually destroy your relationship.
Communication problems
Poor communication between partners usually leads to constant frustration, anger, and dissatisfaction, which can be a huge source of stress in the relationship.
Lack of communication is also considered one of the main reasons for divorce. Some couples, on the other hand, hang on to the same unproductive communication patterns for years, feeling constantly stressed, hurt, and disconnected but unable to find a way to manage stress in their relationship.
Financial issues
Money is one of the most common stresses in relationships. Whether it is different spending habits or a lack of money, financial struggles distort harmony in a relationship.
Intimacy problems
Both emotional and sexual intimacy is vital to a successful relationship. The absence of intimacy may leave you and your partner frustrated, insecure, and unhappy and quickly become a source of ongoing stress.
For many couples, low libido is one of the most common things that cause stress in a relationship.
Also, the emotional distance that causes you to feel lonely in the relationship is a common reason for stress that can destroy your relationship if you don’t address it.
To restore intimacy and closeness in the relationship, practice small acts of affection in daily life, such as planning nights out together, spending more time together, doing things that both of you enjoy, exchanging small gifts, love notes, etc.
Seek couples counseling to help address your intimacy issues and help restore closeness.
How to manage stress in a relationship
The best strategy is to be open about stress in your relationship. Here are a few things you and your partner can do for each other:
Identify stress factors together
Listen
Be approachable and understanding
Offer comfort
Practice gratefulness together
Practice self-compassion
Create stress-reducing rituals
Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and openly discuss your needs, worries, and doubts can help you understand what causes stress and find the best strategies to manage it.
If you are dealing with heartbreak or feeling like you will be alone forever, reach out. I would be happy to discuss how I could support you.
Kamini Wood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kamini Wood is the founder and CEO of Live Joy Your Way and the AuthenticMe® RiseUp program. An international best-selling author Kamini is driven to support people of all ages to heal their relationship with themselves and to stop outsourcing their self-worth. As a result, her clients become their own confident, resilient self-leader with healthier relationships. Kamini is a certified life coach, board-certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, holds specialty certifications in Calling in the One®, Conscious Uncoupling®, NewMoney Story®, and teen life coaching. Also trained in conscious parenting, Kamini aims to meet her clients where they are, supporting and guiding them on their journey to where they want to be, both personally and professionally. Her mission: create space for each person to see the unique gifts they bring to this world.
