Most people are aware that stress is negative. Physically, it harms the body. It can increase your risk of a stroke and heart attack since it can be an instigator of circulatory system inflammation. Then, there is your mental health. Stress can leave you feeling helpless, anxious and even contribute to depression.
Have you ever thought about the impact of stress on your relationships? In particular, we are talking about you and your partner’s relationship. One thing that people do not realize is that type of tension you feel can influence the relationship you have in the short and long term. Let’s explore the facts and what you need to know.
How Stress Affects Relationships
Think about how you are when you are stressed. Do you feel it reflects you in the best light? Does it allow your most favorable personality traits to come out? The answer is usually no. It can make you the opposite of how you really are. Then, it can cause you to ignore your relationship and mistreat your partner. While you might not mean this to happen, it is a result that is inevitable over time.
If you do not control your stress, a variety of things can happen, which we will explore later. Instead, know that quality time with your partner matters and this is the best way to keep a relationship alive. Plus, you have to work on keeping your stress levels under the threshold. This way, you are not going to damage the love you have with your partner. For example, a couples massage at home is a fantastic way to spend time together and unwind simultaneously. Many partners say that it releases feel-good endorphins that can enhance a relationship too.
So, we mentioned that stress can change the way you react and feel. This is what makes it toxic for a loving relationship. Let’s take a look in more detail at what happens when you are more stressed around your partner.
More Irritated
One of the real problems with stress is that you can act in undesirable ways. In particular, you can get angry and more irritated than normal. This is because something is on your mind and worrying you. It consumes more of your energy, which can leave you feel less tolerant of other things. You can end up taking this out on your partner. You can snap at them and complain about things that would not normally bother you. This is because the stress is consuming your life.
Less Affection
Stress distracts you and you cannot concentrate on your partner’s needs. You are too busy worrying about what is troubling you. You can end up being less affectionate with your partner. While you might not notice this at first, it can develop over time. Your partner can end up feeling neglected and as if you do not care about them. Affection is crucial for a healthy and loving relationship. So, if the affection is gone in your relationship, this can have a huge effect on the closeness between you and your partner.
Fewer Conversations
Again, other circumstances are becoming the most important thing in your life. You are spending your time stressing over them, which leads to a lack of communication with your partner. You can feel like you do not have time for this and are concentrated on other tasks. You have fewer conversations and your communication can break down. This can be to the point that you do not even realize your partner is unhappy. Unfortunately, this is when breakups can happen since you are absent.
Too Tired
Stress uses up a lot of energy. When your mind is always preoccupied, and you are working long hours, you can be exhausted by night. They want to know about your day, enjoy dinner with you and connect. Unfortunately, stress takes over and this is the last thing you want to do at the end of the day. You will not want to do these things and it can be like rejection for your partner.
Unforgiving
Notice that you are less forgiving when you are in a bad mood and stressed. You think that the whole world is out to get you and this includes your partner. The fact that you are unforgiving means that you take out your problems on your partner. They might make an innocent mistake and things are blown out of proportion.
Forgetful
Stress discombobulates the brain. One thing it can do is create brain fog. Anniversaries and birthdays can be forgotten and you have no idea. If this happens and you forget a special occasion with your partner, your relationship can be damaged. Your partner can feel unloved, which is detrimental to a close relationship. Unfortunately, the preoccupation of the mind stops you from remembering anything else.
