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10 tips for handling stress as a couple

"If you're constantly around friends or family, the romance can quickly fizzle out"

10 tips for handling stress as a couple

If you've met the love of your life, it's important not to let work take over, and to learn how to handle the stresses of life together.

Read their top 10 tips to help deal with stress as a couple:

Spot the signals

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We're all guilty of getting frustrated when our other half has a short fuse or isn't giving us the attention we deserve. However stress really can impact mood and behaviour more than we realise, so it's important to be able to recognise the signs when your partner might be stressed. We can then approach the situation correctly and not make them feel worse.

Leave work at work

The charity Mind tell us that "no matter how passionate you are about your job, we all need to have lives outside of work, so do try to leave work at work." When you get in from the office, spend 5 minutes swapping stories about your evil boss and venting about your impossible workload - and then ban the subject. Speaking about something more cheerful will fill you with bundles of positivity.

Be ready to listen. Always…

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Your spouse may not always want to open up, so be prepared to listen on the rare occasion they do. Anxiety UK recognise that "what is stressful to one person is not necessarily stressful to another," so it's key to understand the source of their stress.

They're not necessarily looking for ground-breaking advice, or a life-changing solution, they may just want it off their chests. So get your shoulder ready, keep your ears open and have your compassionate nods rehearsed.

Cook together

They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, so why not cook a meal together? Pick foods rich in antioxidants for an energy boost, complex carbohydrates to stabilise blood sugar levels, and those full of vitamins and omega 3 which are recognised stress-busters.

Treat yourself to a chunk (or two!) of dark chocolate to finish - which is known to reduce stress levels and make you feel better. Surely there's nothing some tasty, nutritious food can't fix?

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Get active

Starting a new sport or hobby is a good way of decreasing stress, and the endorphins released during exercise will help you stay positive. Why not pick a workout you can do as a couple? From tennis, to dance classes or couples yoga pick an exercise you both enjoy and sweat it out together.

Switch off your phones

According to Mind, technology is now encouraging us to "work outside of the traditional work environment. It's so easy now to read our emails on our phones" at home, and this can negatively impact our work-life balance.

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Don't be tempted to use your mobile in bed, as this can increase stress levels and interfere with your sleep as well as your relationship. We all know beds weren't made for email checking.

Take a trip away

Keep a note of each other's diaries and pick a long weekend when you're both free. Why not go sightseeing on a city break or take a drive to the countryside? You could even treat yourself to a longer holiday in the sun, to soak up some vitamin D.

Physically getting away and taking some well-deserved time off work is a great way to escape some of the stresses of everyday life. It will leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready to come back and conquer whatever's thrown at you together.

Remind them why they're so great

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Stress often comes from our own pressures we put on ourselves. We're always striving for excellence, however mind reassure us that "you don't have to be perfect all the time."

By simply reminding your partner of something admirable they've achieved that week - no matter how big or small - it can really give them a boost and relieve some stress (as well as earning you some brownie points)!

Relax

Anxiety UK insist you need to "make sure that you are giving enough time to relaxation" - whether it's a couples massage, an aromatic bath, meditation, or simply relaxing on the sofa.

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Regardless of the health benefits, enjoying a relaxing activity together will leave you both feeling significantly less stressed. It's a no-brainer.

Spend some alone time (together)

If you're constantly around friends or family, the romance can quickly fizzle out. So get your babysitter on speed dial, and when it all gets a bit too much, reignite the spark by spending some one-to-one time with your partner.

It doesn't need to be anywhere fancy; you could organise a cheap dinner date, a movie night, or even take a leisurely walk. This will take your minds off the other stresses of life, and guarantee some quality time spent together.

Source:Femalefirst.com

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