5 Ways To Tell If Stress Is Negatively Impacting Your Relationship

There’s bad and even worse news when it comes to stress and relationships. The bad news is, most people admit to feeling stressed on a regular basis. The worse news is, feeling stressed on a regular basis could spell trouble for your relationship.

In the midst of all this bad news, there is a glimmer of hope: even if stress runs rampant in your life, your relationship isn’t destined to suffer. Knowing the signs that stress is negatively affecting your relationship, and taking quick action to remedy the situation, can prevent it from heading into a downward spiral. Whether work, health, or finances cause stress in the life of you or your partner, it can negatively affect the relationship in a variety of ways. Some people feel less close and less comfortable with their significant other when dealing with stress. Dealing with stress also tends to make people feel less sure about the relationships they’re a part of; people with lower stress levels typically feel more secure in their relationships.

# You’re always irritable

If most of what your partner says or does ticks you off, or you feel their words or actions are a slight at your expense, stress could be a contributing factor. The longer stress plays a starring role in your life, the more grumpy and/or argumentative you’ll tend to be—and the more likely you’ll be to lash out at others.

# You lose your ability to communicate rationally

If you’re feeling particularly stressed and overwhelmed, your ability to discuss things rationally goes out the window. For instance, a simple discussion about whose turn it is to do the laundry might turn into a complete blowout with screaming, water works, and hurt feelings. This happens because stress actually affects your ability to focus, and promotes negative thinking. Studies show that it even affects your judgment and listening skills.

# You feel your entire relationship is a bust

When stress is a regular companion in our lives, we’re more likely to view even the most positive things in a negative light. This goes for a great relationship, as well. Unfortunately, we fail to realize that stress is what’s making us feel our relationships aren’t what they should be.

# You find you have a wandering eye

Feeling anxious and overwhelmed has a funny way of making us feel more attracted to other people. We begin to fantasize about being in relationships with people other than the people we love. We begin to think that maybe the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

# Your phone is your sole focus

When we’re under pressure at work, we spend more time on our phones or in front of our computers. Studies suggest that “technoference” in relationships leads to conflict, depression, and less relationship satisfaction. So, being on your phone when you’re supposed to be watching a movie with your partner could be a sign as well as a cause of stress