Cohabitation with another human being takes a lot of sacrifice and patience as it is. Stress at home is through the roof since we started quarantine in early 2020!
As an anxious person, my partner is having a tough time keeping the peace at home as they deal with all my quirks. To them, it’s like I’m feeling stressed for no apparent reason!
So, how do I mellow out? Here’s how I’m dealing with stress at home to keep my relationship still going strong!
Why Am I Feeling Stressed for No Apparent Reason?
All-in-all, life is good. Despite this whole COVID thing, I am in good health. I’m living with the person I’m spending my life with, and my kids are safe. So, why is it that I’m feeling stressed for no apparent reason?
There are a few approaches you can take for dealing with stress at home. However, they all boil down to figuring out the “why.”
Here are some of the common reasons why I experience stress at home. If some of these resonate with you, then my tips for how to deal with stress at home might be helpful for you.
You Have No Means to Channel Anxious Energy
Pre-lockdown, your partner wasn’t with you all hours of the day. They didn’t witness your anxious quirks under such an intense microscope. To them, your behavior is something brand new. For you, it’s ingrained in the very fiber of your being.
When you went to work and hung out in groups, you were able to channel some of that anxiety in different ways. You vibed and chatted with other individuals, made physical contact with family members, and used your creativity to create work.
Now, you are in a confined area with less avenues to channel and diffuse your anxiety. Naturally, your anxious behavior is going to disrupt the peace at home. Now, your partner is seeing a physical representation of what your mind deals with on a daily basis!
Claustrophobia and Boredom
There is a strong correlation between anxiety and claustrophobia. Unfortunately, many of us don’t connect experiencing claustrophobia with being inside of our home.
However, the spaces can get rather cramped with a partner. Adding children to the mix only disrupts the peace at home even more.
Ironically enough in the face of a pandemic, research suggests that we have a six-foot radius where claustrophobia might become triggered. Therefore, your partner being on Zoom calls four feet away for hours on end can definitely cause you to feel claustrophobic.
Nothing is worse than a claustrophobic person with time on their hands. If you’re thinking about how closed-in you are during this lockdown, it will only amplify your feelings of anxiety.
In these moments, take time to meditate or go for a brisk walk. Clear your headspace so that you feel less stress at home.
Environmental Toxins
Sitting there, scratching your head, saying, “Why am I stressed for no reason?” Sometimes a toxic environment can trigger toxic thoughts. One study found that at least 45 toxic chemicals are present in the dust particles of 90% of homes.
Shelter-in-place has forced us indoors for the majority of the year. We’re no longer becoming acquainted with beneficial germs exchanged by others that might boost our immune system.
In turn, we might become more susceptible to heavy metals, toxins, and other impurities in our home.
Nutrient Deficiencies
This lockdown has been a recipe for poor health habits. When stress and anxiety rise, our willpower and good habits decrease. With UberEats and GrubHub at our fingertips, we’re getting foods delivered straight to our door.
We don’t even have to go to the car anymore! Instead, nutrient-deficient food practically teleports directly onto your kitchen table.
Being indoors during quarantine has caused us to become more sedative. We aren’t moving around as much, which is inhibiting our physical health. So, we’re not even metabolizing a majority of the calories we’re consuming.
Lastly, the longer we stay indoors, the longer we miss out on regular exposure to quality Vitamin D. Our body relies on this Vitamin D for dozens of critical functions, especially when it comes to mental health. One study found that people who are low in Vitamin D are 65% more likely to experience anxiety and depression.
Depression or Medical Condition
Almost any medical condition can cause bouts of anxiety. The reason for this shift in behavior is because your body might be fighting a battle. Even worse, it might be losing this battle.
If you are noticing a shift in your behaviors, talk to your doctor. Whether it’s a mental or physical health disorder, being proactive can save your life.
Genetics
Whenever you feel stressed for no reason, there is still a reason. It might not be your job, family, or friends. Maybe it’s hereditary anxiety?
Does anyone in your family have a history of mental illness? One meta-analysis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and genetics found there is about a 31.6% chance of inheriting GAD genes.
Don’t go calling your parents yet! Think of it as a relief. Various traumas or medical conditions can cause anxiety. So, knowing the root cause is your family tree means you don’t have to worry about any other potential issues.
How to Deal with Stress at Home
Does your partner have you wondering, “how do I chill out?” Restore the peace at home and by learning how to deal with stress. Here are some ways I’m coping with quarantine and how I’m cooling off when I’m feeling stressed for no apparent reason.
Self-Care Time
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. In the era of social distancing, an hour away from your loved ones might just do!
Remember that all relationships, including those with children, are multi-way streets. As cozy as it sounds, you are not one entity. You are separate beings who all have each others’ backs in this crazy world.
Your interests are unique and define who you are. Find time to channel your anxious energy into reading about your favorite topics, identifying birds in nature, or finding another hobby that you enjoy.
Whatever brings you joy, do more of it. Your mental health (and relationship) needs it more than ever!
Set Boundaries and Expectations
Not to get back on the traffic metaphors, but anxiety is also a multi-way street. Sure, you might be wondering, “Why am I stressed for no reason?” The simple answer is that you’re not!
Remember that whole claustrophobia discussion we just had? It’s easy to feel smothered by others during quarantine. Just be honest.
Your loved ones probably already know you have anxiety. Be frank about your triggers to preserve peace at home.
Say that you’re not used to so much time together and set some ground rules for your own sanity. Discuss things that matter to you like quiet time, when you’d like to watch your favorite show or talk about the lack of chores being done.
Trust me. Nipping these things before they blow will keep stress in check at home.
Limit News Intake
Watching the news gives me anxiety. It’s also an added pressure in my relationship. I read what’s going on in the outside world and take it out on my inside one.
I’ve learned to limit my news intake to less than an hour per day. Unless I’m following local data on COVID-19 reopenings when I plan on going out, I might not even read the news.
Cutting back on news intake has helped me manage my anxiety better. I’ve noticed myself having better conversations with my partner about the mundane things as well as our future goals, or dream vacations than discussing our fears over the coronavirus.
Purify the Air
I’ve done a few things to help my environment that I’ve noticed makes a huge difference in my daily disposition. In turn, I’m less likely to appear stressed for no reason to my partner.
Some ways to purify the air include:
- Opening Windows
- Essential Oils
- HEPA and Activated Charcoal Air Purifier
- Dehumidifier
- White Fragrance-Free Soy Candles
- Sage
Inhaling neurotoxins and absorbing them through our skin can throw off many metabolic processes. Consequently, our bodies might not produce enough of the neurotransmitters necessary to keep our emotions in balance.
Also, take a walk outside. Bask in the sun. Clear your lungs out from all over the toxins you’re sitting amongst. Inoculate your body with new germs from nature. It will boost your immune system. Subsequently, your mood will improve, too!
All-Natural Supplements and Diet
We can fix our deficiencies by not acting deficient in the first place. If you can pay $20 for a driver to drop off a hamburger, you can spend $20 on high-quality beef that makes more than one burger patty.
I’ve been using my diet and nutrition to fix my anxiety for months. It’s not only done wonders for my body; it’s making a massive difference in my relationship. I feel less on edge and insecure about myself because my body is starting to show improvements.
Sure, I still binge on ice creams on occasional nights. However, I’m bridging the gap of my poor dietary decisions by supporting my health with all-natural supplements. Most notably, I use Tranquility Lab’s Tranquilene.
Tranquilene is formulated to boost natural neurotransmitter production. The formula centers around GABA (our calming neurotransmitter) and serotonin (our joy molecule). It’s enriched with amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for the production of these feel-good hormones.
In addition, Tranquilene contains Vitamin D3. It’s pertinent to get as much of this immune-boosting vitamin during an era where we’re forced indoors.
Experiencing stress at home can cause an abundance of cortisol to become produced in your system. This fight-or-flight reaction can make your sanctuary turn into your own personal jail cell.
Thankfully, Tranquilene has a wide variety of botanicals associated with lowering cortisol. It’s fortified with passionflower and Brahmi. These popular Ayurvedic herbs help promote calmness while maintaining focus.
Lastly, Tranquilene is enriched with ashwagandha. Not only does ashwagandha help lower stress, but it’s used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an aphrodisiac. That can’t be bad for keeping the spark alive in your relationship!
How Do I Chill Out When I’m Feeling Stressed for No Reason?
COVID-19 hasn’t been easy for anyone. Sure, you’re struggling as a person with anxiety. However, it takes two to tango.
Your partner might be struggling with the fact that you’re feeling stressed for no reason. For the health of your relationship, you need to determine the root of your stress at home. Then, figure out ways for dealing with stress at home.
Once you find your triggers, it’s time to address them. Carve some time out for yourself and set boundaries with your loved ones. Limit your toxic intake both via the news and in your environment.
Lastly, change up your diet and boost your immune system with all-natural supplements. That way, your body has the energy necessary to help create brain chemicals that fight off anxiety. If I can keep my relationship solid through quarantine, you can too!
Essential Takeaways:
- Stress at home is amplified during quarantine because we don’t break up the day with work and leisure.
- Being indoors can disrupt peace at home due to environmental toxins and claustrophobia.
- Taking Self-care time, changing diets, and purifying the air will do wonders for stress at home (and your relationship).
