How to Handle Relationship Conflict in ISO

Have you been feeling it?

That little (or big!) bubble of irritation coming up as you look at your partner or kids or house mates... who left this mess? Who's dishes are these? Where did that washing come from? 

It's been a long period of ALL TOGETHERNESS during COVID-19.

Staying home is what we need to do, and through doing the "right thing" our RELATIONSHIPS are absolutely being tested. We've probably never had so much time together in close quarters WITHOUT our external vices or an escape, have we? Small things that we took for granted like being able to hit the gym, go shopping or for a catch up with the girls are non-existent. 

In a research study I conducted in 2019 into Women's Stress and Anxiety in Australia the women who participated in the survey said that downloading to a friend or family member was cited as the best way to manage their stress and anxiety, closely followed by exercise and scrolling through social media/watching TV.

Our first two "go-to's" for stress release have been taken away, so I'm tipping we've gone ALL IN on the third one though without a doubt! ;) Which if you've read my blog on "Calming Your Anxious Mind at Night" you'll know the extra screen time has not been ideal for our much needed sleep!

It is no wonder really without our external vices and with the lack of zzzz's that conflicts are arising. Behaviours or actions that wouldn't normally irritate us start to build up and wear thin.

The reason being - we feel constraint. We are being told what we can and cant do, when we can and cant do it, and it's so against our normal free society it feels like a friction. We all know we are doing it for the "best reasons" in our mind, however that doesn't change that we are still being constraint.

And no one likes that feeling. No one. We are all just doing the best we can with the resources we have.

So, how can you settle the storms before a big blow up? To just get through it?

Watch below. In this video I share a few tips to help you settle the storms in your house!

WATCH HERE

Being confined to 4 walls, except for a daily walk has been good for one thing though. My energy levels! I feel super connected and grounded without all the BUSY and rushing and deadlines. I realise how much I used to attempt to fit in, just wasn't working. 

How about you?
JB

The diagram below shows the "pattern interrupt" tool I share about in this video. Shifting your angry or irritated thoughts from your mind by moving the body with the simple practice of tapping your fingers and saying to yourself "Peace begins with me" calms the mind and allows you to breath.

Image credit: Kath Hurley