Navigating Relationships During Coronavirus: How to handle stress, how to cope & tips to keep peace
We know - near everyone is stressed at home. It’s easy to be on edge, or fall into a spat with a family member.
In our interview with Dr. Marni Feuerman, LCSW, LMFT - a Psychotherapist, Author, Expert Media Contributor and relationship expert in South Florida - we learned many helpful tips we cannot wait to share with you. They may help bring some sanity into your quarantined days, as South Florida residents are still cooped up at home.
Find the full video interview below!
Some quick Quarantine & Relationship tips from Dr. Marni:
- Go outside- maybe a few times a day
- Get back to the basics: think pre internet - board games, puzzles, non-digital artwork
- Dig deep: the solutions you need to combat stress are probably already within you
- For relationship stress: It’s OK to blame the coronavirus and have dialogue such as: ‘hey, you know what - we’re both really stressed with everything that’s going on with the coronavirus. We’re probably both saying things we don’t mean’
- Break it down: Instead of jumping to “Wow, you’re such a jerk!” - try to break things into digestible chunks. It takes work and attention, but the outcome will be much greater if we can take a deep breath and say: “I would feel safer if you did _____”. Or “It would really help me if you could ____”. And try to keep that “blank” to a singular action item.
- For Help: Therapy - couples, relational or individual - has never been more accessible. If you need help, find the best help you can afford and don’t wait. Teletherapy is readily available and you can likely even find a mental health provider who takes your insurance.
To find Dr. Marni online, visit her website at: TheTalkingSolution.com
To read her book- Ghosted and Breadcrumbed: Stop Falling for Unavailable Men and Get Smart about Healthy Relationships - check out her author website.
Thank you, Dr. Marni, for sharing your valuable insight with us!
** Important note: Experiencing Domestic Violence in South Florida during quarantine is different from other relational stress.
Here is an excerpt from one of our blogs on South Florida Domestic Violence resources and awareness. Check the blog out for more information if you need help or want to be a better ally:
South Florida Domestic Violence Survivor Says Help Available during Coronavirus Pandemic
During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Florida Police say Domestic Violence calls have been increasing, according to NBC 6. Police want people and victims to know that there is always help available.
A South Florida woman who was a victim of domestic violence during the coronavirus pandemic shared her story with NBC 6. Marie said she dealt with fights, restraining orders, and stalking behaviors. At one point, her abuser even attempted to kill her and stabbed her 8 times at her home in Hialeah.
Because more people are at home, more people have lost jobs and those with children are doing remote learning, tensions have risen, explained Hialeah Police Department's Special Victims Unit Sergeant July Fernandez. "I want to assure every victim that we are here for you," she added.
No matter who you are, male or female, South Florida police
and victim resources are available to you - even during the pandemic.
Marie said that getting out of domestic violence in South Florida can be hard, but she wants people to know there is a way out - it is possible.
She says you have to really want to get out - unfortunately for her, she said, she didn't understand how much she had to "want" to get out until something really serious happened and she knew she needed to get help.
If you don't know what to do, or who to call, you can always call 911, your local police department, or the Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) to get help on next steps and what you can do to be safe and get access to resources.
Learn more in our blog, or visit the domestic abuse hotline website.
Give us a call today to set up a free consultation if you think we can help:
- Fort Lauderdale: (754) 206-6200
- Sunrise: (754) 999-2499
- Boca Raton: (561) 880-8181