Are you planning to do some traveling with your spouse during the holidays? Even the best laid travel plans can get a little (or a lot) stressful. Here are some ways to work together with your spouse to overcome stress, rather than taking that stress out on each other.
Stretch those muscles
If you are sitting for a long period of time, such as in a car or a plane, your muscles can tighten up. Muscles will also get tight when it comes to normal holiday or travel stress. There are a couple of ways that you can combat this. If you are driving, pull over and take a short walk together while holding hands. The exercise combined with the physical contact should relax the both of you. If you have no where to go, such as on a plane, try giving each other shoulder massages or challenge each other to come up with new ways to stretch a bit while seated.
Affect the world together
It is inevitable, perhaps, that you will run into other stressed out people either while you are traveling or once you get to your destination. Before you start out, look at traveling as an adventure. Set a goal to work together to brighten the day of everyone you meet in some way. When someone bumps past you, wish them well. Smile and exude compassion and joy. Keep score on how many ways you can affect those around you. Not only will this bring you both a better attitude and joy, but working together on an unusual goal like this will give you a sense of teamwork and that you are both in this (life) together.
Remind each other
No matter how much you plan and organize, once you are traveling, you will run into issues that are out of your control, such as the traffic on the freeway, the plan delay, the fact that you can’t find a decent bagel outside of New York, whatever the issue. Remind each other when things are just out of your control, but do it nicely.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
Related Articles:
Taking on Challenges Together is Good for Marriage
The Social Benefits of Marriage