Is Your Partner Feeling Distressed? Here Are Expert Tips to Help Them Feel Better
Assisting a partner who is dealing with anxiety can be challenging. However, there are expert tips that can help you provide support to your loved one. It’s important to remember that actions hold more weight than words.
If your partner, family member, or friend is distressed, you have likely considered various methods to uplift their spirits. From offering chocolates to giving them space to vent, you may have explored different avenues. Relationships require significant responsibility, regardless of whether it’s during good times or difficult situations. Supporting your partner when they are stressed can prevent minor annoyances from escalating into full-blown arguments. Remember, the words you choose have a powerful impact on people’s emotions. Witnessing your partner in distress can be distressing in itself, especially when you struggle to comfort them. However, don’t worry, because we have you covered. Relationship expert Julie Menanno recently shared some tips on Instagram to help soothe your partner when they are distressed.
Read the expert’s advice below on how to assist a distressed partner:
1. Take care of yourself: When your partner is emotionally distressed, it is crucial that you first regulate your own emotions. Find a calm space within yourself by practicing breathing exercises, such as inhaling for 4 seconds and exhaling for 8 seconds. Deep breathing signals safety to your body.
2. Provide physical comfort: Touch is a vital form of communication in relationships. During your partner’s distress, physical touch can have a significant impact. By touching or holding your partner in a calm manner, your energy will transfer to them, creating a sense of a safe environment. While physical touch may not completely calm your partner, it will initiate the calming process. However, it’s important to note that some individuals may not wish to be touched, so explore other means to soothe your partner’s distress.
3. Give space for their feelings: Every emotion, whether physical or mental, needs to be acknowledged and managed. Instead of pushing their feelings away, create space for your partner to express themselves. Just as you wouldn’t try to alleviate the pain of a broken leg through words, extend the same sensibility to emotional pain. Support your partner without attempting to make their distress vanish.
4. Ask how you can help: Effective communication is one of the most powerful ways to ease your partner’s distress. Often, we assume we know what our partners need when they are emotionally overwhelmed. However, it is equally vital to have a plan B and ask them directly, “How can I help?” Each person requires different types of assistance and experiences unique feelings during distress. Some may desire to be heard and validated, while others may seek physical closeness. Hence, it’s best to ask and respond accordingly.
5. Validate their feelings: Validating your partner’s emotions is essential when they are distressed. Simply acknowledging their experience helps them feel understood and supported. Emotionally validating their position, rather than passing judgment, assists in managing anxiety. You don’t necessarily need to agree with their perception of the situation; it’s about connecting with them authentically. Even if you don’t initially feel authentic, keep trying. With time, you’ll become comfortable and witness positive changes. Remember, your efforts matter more than your words.
6. Avoid shame spiraling: Your partner may experience shame when they are upset, leading them to believe they don’t deserve support. They may also feel like a failure, doubting their ability to be there for you effectively. Engaging in shame spiraling can exacerbate the situation, shifting the focus from your distressed partner. Thus, it’s crucial to prioritize soothing your partner’s feelings rather than processing your own in that moment. Avoid shame spiraling and be supportive.
7. Don’t prioritize problem-solving: Instead of immediately trying to fix the problem, focus on supporting your partner first. Offer comfort and reassurance, and in due time, you can work together to find a solution. Soothing your partner should take precedence. Stay abreast of the latest updates by subscribing to our newsletter.
By following these expert tips, you can offer the necessary support to your distressed partner. Remember, your efforts matter more than the words you use. These tips may prove to be more helpful than what you have done in the past.