If you’re currently dealing with a significant other or spouse with whom you don’t always get along well, it can be disquieting in many ways. The constant stress and fighting can make life miserable for you. Making sure that you don’t turn to unhealthy measures and habits to cope with your relationship issues is important. Here are a few more positive things to consider when it comes to dealing with an unhealthy relationship on a daily basis.
Avoid Substance Abuse
If you’re on the verge of a breakup with your partner, it can be a tumultuous time and you may be looking for ways to cope with the pain. One thing that some people turn to is drugs and/or alcohol. This is not a good way to cope with problems because it can easily lead to addictive tendencies. Drug addiction can not only affect your body negatively, it can lead to a myriad of other problems that may severely affect your daily living and affect your personal relationships. Many times, it can compound the issues you already have with your partner and make them worse. While it may seem like it could temporarily ease the pain, it likely won’t. Some of the effects of drug and alcohol usage include:
- Withdrawing from personal relationships.
- Not finding joy in things you once you used to.
- Taking a financial loss due to lost work days or poor job performance.
- Mood swings, including hyperactivity, violent behavior and depression.
- Becoming physically ill as you withdraw from drugs or alcohol.
- Facing withdrawal symptoms that include hallucinations, seizures, vomiting, fever and changes in blood pressure.
If you feel you have a problem with alcohol or drug use, seek professional help right away. The pros at Harris House Stl, as well as treatment centers near you, can help you detox and offer the support you need to help work through your personal issues.
Give It Some Space
If you feel like you’re the only one trying to keep your relationship together, while your partner isn’t willing to put forth as much effort, it can be devastating. Arguing all the time, accusatory behavior and persistent belittling can wear on your psyche and tear you down emotionally. The result is that you’re not in a good place and bouts of depression or malaise can quickly take over. Removing yourself from a toxic person in your life—even temporarily, can give you some mental clarity. Now is the time to give the relationship a little bit of breathing room. Maybe spending a few days or weeks apart is all that you need to improve your actions toward each other. It’s a good time to reflect on what you want out of life and if it’s worth continuing forward with future plans together.
Finding Common Ground
The reason many couples fight is because they lack a mutual common ground with one another. This could be through how you parent your children to what type of groceries to buy at the store. While some issues may be small, and others very important, it’s best to come to a mutual understanding and solution without fighting or belittling the other person. This can be difficult. Learning ways to step back from the situation and listen to your partner’s needs is one way to make sure that their voice is being heard. Saying to your partner that you want to understand where they’re coming from is important. Coming up with a compromise now to boost relationship morale is better than arguing or shutting your partner out in the future. Find a mutual activity to do together, such as exercise or building a special project, to help reinforce your team building efforts.
Seek Professional Counseling
Sometimes a relationship just doesn’t get any better and your quality of life is severely affected. Being diagnosed with depression, anxiety or high blood pressure can be a direct result of being in a toxic relationship. No mutual understanding, constant fighting and dealing with an unfaithful partner can wreak havoc on your personal life. When you result to poor coping mechanisms such as illicit drug use, overeating, binge drinking or other risky behaviors due to stress, you’re putting your own health on the line. Seeking help and counseling from a professional counselor or psychologist can help you sift through your feelings and help get you back on track to more positive thinking. If your partner wants to, you can see the same therapist together to find positive coping strategies and lifestyle change suggestions for a better relationship.
Feeling overwhelmed with your partner doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road. Be sure to exhaust all options first. Talking it out and getting help when you need it can help guide you through this rough patch.
