Managing relationships in the era of pandemic
At the best of times, managing relationships (whether it is with a partner, kids, family, friends, colleagues or managers) is a difficult and demanding process. After all, understanding and dealing with people’s emotions during the ups and downs of life has to be one of the hardest things to master. Adding this fear and anxiety of Covid-19 to the already existing complex equation and measures the government put in place to reduce the virus, we definitely have a recipe for disaster and ticking time bomb.
Women particularly, play a multifaceted role when it comes to relationships (as a mother, daughter, sister, and spouse) and often bear a disproportionate burden of childcare and domestic responsibilities in their personal life compared to male counterparts. Covid-19 has not only exacerbated the inequities but also unveiled unrecognised new challenges for women in managing the relationships.
Rebalancing the relationships is definitely the need of the hour as the relationships thrive on the balance of spending time together and spending time apart. As this balance has no doubt been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to make some adjustments to ensure there is a healthy amount of both. Also, it is important to create routines for yourself, your colleagues and your family as our human brain works better when things are planned and know what is coming for us and creates structure and certainty.
Further, to keep the relationships flourish, lightening up the mood wherever appropriate, is one best method. For example, sharing a lighter note with colleagues, watching a comedy series/movie with family and playing a board game or two with kids. After all, humour is healing and laughter soothes the nerves.
Communication plays a major role and one of the key pillars of any relationship. It is important to talk and align points of view on the decisions both professionally and personally and communicate the expectations clearly, will not only bring you closer with your relationships but will also help make life feel more “normal” and reduce the anxiety driven by the unknown.
Conclusion:
Although, people respond to the current pandemic in a different way and are affected differently, and although there is no straight jacket formula that can be applied but, the above discussed points would definitely help create a strong and healthy relationship both at home and workplace. It is the time to act with love and kindness.
Manasa Bharadwaj
Gitanjali Primary School,
Begumpet
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