The amount of stress we’ve had to deal with this year has been immense. Not just on personal mental health but there has been, a knock-on effect on our relationships, too.

We’ve been locked indoors together for months on end. We’ve had to endure loss of income, health issues and separation from friends and family.  Parents have had to take on the daunting extra duty of home-schooling. . Within this context, many relationships have taken strain. That’s why it’s essential, if you can, to try and get away from it all and treat yourself to a well-deserved break. A chance to rekindle that romantic spark and reconnect as a couple after this crazy year.

Here’s how a trip away can benefit your relationship with your significant other:

Nature

Remember when we could only exercise in that one small time period each day? Parks, forests and streets were packed with people simply breathing in the fresh air and communing with nature as we found a renewed appreciation in the power of nature to lift our spirits. So, pick a holiday destination where nature is abundant and the outdoors are celebrated, like the Maldives, with its open spaces, white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and abundant sea life.

There are so many land and water sports, and outdoor activities to enjoy in the Maldives – most of which are all-inclusive if you book in a resort like Club Med (who have great deals to the Maldives at the moment!). The Maldives is also one of the few places which South Africans can travel to without quarantining, plus you simply get a visa on arrival (super easy!).

Self-care

The adage of putting your own oxygen mask on before helping others applies here too. You can’t build a strong relationship unless you are strong inside yourself. A holiday is certainly a form of self-care, especially if you go somewhere which offers the things which help you recharge – indulge in quiet time, outdoor activities, beauty treatments, wholesome food or something else entirely. Whether you practise self-care together or separately, your relationship can only be better for it.

Laughter

The saying “laughter is the best medicine” was so apt this year because where would we have been without humour? Whether it’s watching silly sitcoms on Netflix during lockdown, laughing at ridiculous situations or witty memes on social media– humour can be a lifeline in stressful times like these.

Holidays can give you space to relax and unwind, and make time for spontaneity, happiness and laughter – things we all really need after this pandemic. If you choose an all-inclusive holiday package all your needs are taken care of from the moment you arrive, leaving more time for enjoying the moment and making new memories!

Honest communication

 We may have spent most of this year inside the same four walls, but that doesn’t mean that we’ve always been communicating effectively. In fact, you may have spent much of your leisure time on your individual laptops watching Netflix in separate rooms!

This trip can be a time to stay away from screens, and really spend time together with no work or household chores to distract you. You can really talk about what’s happened in 2020, how this made you both feel, and how you can work together to tackle issues and be stronger, together.

Reflection and planning

Using this rare time to communicate, now’s a great opportunity to reflect on the kind of lives you want to achieve. 2020 has forced us all to re-evaluate what really matters to us, showing us how important our loved ones are, how valuable our physical health is and why it’s vital to slow down our lives to enjoy simple pleasures. Time away from the mundane gives you space to do this reflection exercise together, so you can make a plan to work towards the life you envisage in the new normal.

This year has had a detrimental effect on our stress levels, and holidays are one science-proven way to improve on that. In a 2009 study, Canadian researchers found that taking holidays helped to buffer job stress among a sample of 900 lawyers. We may not all be lawyers but we’ve certainly all experienced stress this year – so dust off that suitcase, get planning and get packing. You deserve it and your relationship needs it.

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Disagreeing with someone you love is never fun. Having conflicting feelings and opinions can often leave you feeling misunderstood or unloved. Your feelings are valid, but it’s also important to remember that sometimes, having an argument is the best thing for your marriage.

While it’s not always pleasant, arguing is a healthy and necessary part of a relationship. People won’t get along 100% of the time, and things are bound to end up in a disagreement at some point. Conflict can help couples understand each other more deeply and gain empathy for one another.

Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t shy away from an argument:

Arguing prevents issues from building up

If something bothers you, the best thing to do is to bring it up with your partner. Otherwise, it will grow and grow as you bottle up your frustrations, which will ultimately cause you to become resentful and eventually blow up. This can make the situation much worse than it ever needed to be.

Fighting keeps couples honest and accountable

When we argue, we reveal new facets of ourselves. It can help you realise how much you care about a particular topic, which in turn will help your partner understand you and your worldview more.

At the same time, having disagreements also exposes our shortcomings. Something you do and doesn’t give a second thought could be causing your partner frustration, and by arguing about it you learn about it. Criticism can help you grow and become a better person.

Fighting is an opportunity to better your communication

An argument can easily become tense when couples lead with anger. Instead, use this conflict as an opportunity to communicate more effectively. The focus should be on how you resolve your arguments in a healthy way.

Avoid insults and screaming, and focus on listening instead. Laying down your thoughts in a calm manner will help de-escalate a situation and show maturity.

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