How to Maintain a Healthy Relationship During the Pandemic

The quarantine has many couples experiencing love on a new frontier. The day to day hustle of leaving home for work, picking up kids from daycare and more have all changed. Some are enjoying this new pivot while some are making major adjustments to maintain a healthy relationship. Relationship experts, Tiffany and Terrell Monger, have had their share of relationship woes. At one point in their journey they were seeking a divorce and almost made it final. However, they have overcome their relationship challenges to remain happily married.

The pandemic could have been seen as a struggle for the couple but they learned how to grow peacefully in love. They now share advice with other couples on how to maintain a loving relationship. Here are their 5 tips on how to survive during the pandemic:

• Enjoy each other. Get in touch with why and how you both fell in love. Remember those key factors and enjoy one another again during this down time. Think of that first kiss, your first date and maybe even your wedding day to enjoy a blissful relationship.
• Help each other. Running errands are a major household task that also maintain a healthy home. From going to the bank, grocery shopping, going to the cleaners and more; errands are vital to all. So if one partner usually does the grocery shopping; offer some help. Go with your partner to the grocery store to make it a team effort. Or even take the lead and shop solo while the other partner handles another household task.
• Enjoy meals together. Yes, it’s the cooking for me! The Mongers advise on cooking more and finding your groove in the kitchen. Avoid that takeout and turn the stove on. Try new recipes, use new ingredients and enjoy each other’s culinary delights. The art of having a seated meal at home is no longer a dreaded task but now your daily reality. You may have started your relationship journey by cooking a lot so now is the time to enjoy that again. Cooking is for the soul and not a task because we all have to eat each day.
• Real recognizes real. “None of us are perfect so we can’t expect others to be,” says The Mongers. It’s important to remain reachable to one another while giving the grace that you desire. “Respond and react in love so that in the end, love wins,” continues The Mongers. This time may bring about more nagging aspects of your partner but let love win in the end. Clear your expectations to remain honest and real with one another.
• Invest in yourself. “You only have one body and your health is wealth,” explains The Mongers. This investment includes therapy, being physically active and also feeding your spiritual need. Take care of yourself in these manners in order to pour back into your relationship. More endurance is needed during these trying times and it’s important to try to avoid the pitfalls.

Investing in your love is never a bad thing. You were brought together for a reason and the availability brought on by the pandemic can be a blessing in disguise. Cherish this time while also cherishing your relationship. Ongoing maintenance will forever be needed but remember to grow together. To connect with Tiffany and Terrell Monger please visit www.tntworld.org and follow them on social media as @tntworldmemphis.

Writer, C. Scott, is a mother of one; author, social worker, early literacy interventionist and entrepreneur. Follow her on social media as @curls_coils and @mysweettealife.