Tips for partners to thrive not just survive during COVID-19 lockdown

Want to know how to have fun with your partner and inject life into the relationship and survive lockdown?

COVID-19 lockdown may test the relationship mettle of even the most harmonious partnerships as we spend more time than usual close to each other. Relationships may have entered this period feeling upbeat but may be starting to see cracks emerge as the four walls start to merge.

First let's look at ways in which you can create more fun and lightheartedness in your relationship to support during this period and then secondly, tips for helping if the tensions are starting to show. The outcome to keep in mind is furthering the relationship i.e. does an action move the relationship closer together or does an action create a gap in the relationship?

Tips for creating more fun. Have you heard the phrase "couples that pray together, stay together," that's a great place to start but let's focus on "couples that play together, stay together" so what can you action starting today:

1. Board game or jigsaw puzzle: go ahead and unleash your inner child and play a board game or jigsaw puzzle together. Some healthy competition never goes astray. Recall the feelings of your childhood of playing games.

2. Themed dinners: choose to say "olé" to Mexican fiesta night or "buon appetito" to an Italian banquet. Make sure to light candles to bring an extra dose of romance and you can also pick a movie to watch that has the same theme.

3. Fondue: many people have fondue sets gathering dust from back when they were popular, how about dusting them off and have a fondue dinner. Ooh all that yummy cheese.

4. Exercise: find an exercise routine that you can do together, it could be as simple as setting up a circuit routine around your house.

When you experience tensions in your relationship then look to these strategies for guidance:

1. Love languages: if you know the book called "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman, then you and your partner can write down 5 things that would meet your love language. Then let your partner know so that they can go about doing acts that will make you feel loved and appreciated. Go here to learn more.

2. 36 dating questions: have you heard about the 36 dating questions that may accelerate strangers falling in love? These questions come from a study conducted by psychologist Arthur Aron. Why not have some fun and ask your partner a few of these questions to bring you closer together. Go here to get the questions.

3. Ho'oponopono: I've mentioned this ancient Hawaiian forgiveness ritual in an earlier blog post as it is excellent at clearing out problems and bringing you into the present moment. It works exceptionally well in relationships when you want to address tension and conflict. All you do is acknowledge the problem then say the phrases "I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you" to Spirit/God/Universe.

Above all, approach your partner with love, compassion and appreciation. Remember you have the power to create the relationship you want.

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Here's to living your best life!

Melissa Taylor

Future Transcendence Leadership Mentor