4 Common Relationship Stressors
All relationships have their moments of stress.
These moments can be defining points of growth and connection in a relationship. But they can also drive a couple apart. In this post, I continue the concept of good versus bad stress, but in the context of relationships. Below, I introduce four typical relationship stressors and how therapy can help.
Financial Stress
Finances are often a significant stressor. Disagreements over budgeting, debt, and spending habits can cause frustration. Unexpected expenses also often strain a couple's relationship. The stress arises not only from the financial burden but also from the decisions about addressing the unexpected costs. Disparities in income can also lead to relationship stress. The higher-earning partner may feel pressure due to financial responsibility. At the same time, the other partner may feel inadequate or dependent.
Communication Stress
Communication issues also play a role in relationship stress.
Communication challenges like misinterpretations or unmet expectations lead to frustration. As a therapist, I often see how emotional difficulties can hinder communication. For example, a lack of expressing feelings can increase stress in a relationship.
Stress Due to Major Life Changes
Even when they are welcome, significant life changes such as a move, career change, or the arrival of children can be stressful.
Significant life changes disrupt established routines. These disruptions can lead to feelings of uncertainty. Significant life changes also often come with increased responsibilities. These added responsibilities can strain both partners as they adjust to new roles and expectations.
Conflicting Values
Conflicts over priorities, values, or decision-making can fuel ongoing stress. When partners have different values, they may focus on different and opposing life goals. For example, one person may value career success while the other values quality time with family. These differences can lead to disagreements over how to spend time, resources, and energy. Partners may need help finding common ground, causing stress. One of the most significant issues I see among couples is when their differing values remain unshared. Or when a partner assumes the other shares their values.
Therapy for Stress Relief Can Help
As you can see from the above, the most common stressors among couples stem from a lack of communication and understanding. Especially as your relationship gets longer, reaches new milestones, or things change. Therapy helps support individuals and couples in learning to communicate effectively.
Couples need to recognize these stressors and engage in empathetic communication. The key to quality communication is self-awareness and curiosity. That means becoming a better listener and seeking to understand your partner by focusing on their feelings and values.
Effective communication also means being assertive. Understanding your emotions and how to deal with them is vital so you can stay in conversations and keep having them until you and your partner can solve problems. Therapy helps support these kinds of discussions by teaching and practicing emotional regulation.
Work With a Therapist for Stress Relief in Peoria, IL & Mahomet, IL
A stress-free relationship is unrealistic, but it's vital to differentiate between good and bad stress. In the next blog post, I will specifically focus on toxic stress. If you want to learn more about stress in your life or if you are ready to learn how to identify and communicate better in stressful situations, I would be happy to offer support from my Mahomet, IL-based practice. You can start your therapy by following these simple steps:
- Take the first step by calling or texting 217-402-7817
- Schedule your first appointment at my Illinois-based practice to address overworking
- Start overcoming people-pleasing behaviors!
Other Services Offered With Live Lekko
Therapy for stress relief isn't the only service I offer. I'm happy to offer a variety of services to provide you with mental health support. The mental health services I offer include therapy for people-pleasing, counseling for women, and grief and loss counseling. I also offer therapy for childhood emotional neglect. Whether you are in Peoria, Springfield, Mahomet, or somewhere in between in Illinois I can help with teletherapy. Feel free to visit my blog for more helpful information.