A Helpful Guide for Identifying Signs of Relationship Burnout
Relationships require compassion, effort, and patience. Just like in other areas of life, these feelings can cause burnout. Relationship burnout can occur when stress is left unresolved and results in exhaustion. The risk of burnout increases when partners start to feel undervalued or unappreciated within their relationship. Let's talk about ways to identify this burnout and what can be done to overcome this feeling.
Signs of Relationship Burnout
Burnout does not just happen overnight — rather it is a collection of emotional stress that builds up to a point where the effects start to eat away at the relationship. Eventually, the genuine unhappiness and energy drain can cause a couple to give into the burnout and let the relationship fizzle away. It can be difficult to identify signs of burnout, but here are a few to be aware of:
Frequent Fighting
Imagine a human as a bottle of soda. The more carbonation added to the bottle, the more likely the lid is going to pop. When you ignore and suppress emotions, stresses, and issues within your relationship, one day you are going to explode. This can look like constant fighting with your partner over seemingly little issues. Once the fighting wears off and you find yourself feeling indifference towards one another, this can mean burnout.
Feeling Cynical Towards Your Partner
Generally, in healthy relationships, people will give their partners the benefit of the doubt. It is never assumed that your partner is intentionally trying to hurt you. Another sign of burnout is evident when you start to anticipate the worst in your relationship. You may start to see your significant other in a negative light, and begin to feel annoyed by their antics.
Dreading Quality Time
It is normal to want some space from your partner. Alone time is healthy. But when you start to actively dread seeing your partner, this may be a sign that you're experiencing burnout. It is possible that during this time, you lack connection and intimacy with one another. The time you do spend with together is met with resistance and irritation. You may start to avoid each other altogether.
Uninterested in Sex
For many couples, sex is an important part in a relationship. While not having sex constantly is not bad, feeling unattractive to your significant other is indicative of a larger issue. It's normal to fluctuate between levels of intimacy, but when you begin to feel repulsed by your partner or find yourself avoiding them, it may be time to reevaluate your partnership.
Emotional Exhaustion
This is normally a sign of burnout in general, but feeling emotionally exhausted specifically when you are with your person can increase risk of relationship burnout. Giving into the exhaustion can ruin any possibility of mending the relationship. It is important to recognize these symptoms and communicate, not give up completely.
Overcome Relationship Burnout
If you find yourself experiencing any of these burnout symptoms, here are some ways you can overcome this obstacle.
Be Honest
Once you acknowledge that you're feeling burnt out, the next step is to communicate these emotions to your partner. While it may be difficult, it's important to inform them about your mindset.
Reset
Work with your significant other to repair any damages, vocalize needs, and work through emotions as a team. Try to redefine the relationship and how it has changed overtime.
Counseling
One of the best ways to mend relationship burnout is to seek help from a mental health professional. Couples counseling is a great way to learn the causes of the burnout, strategies for communication and problem-solving, and rediscovering the spark that seemed to dim. Reach out and schedule a session today for couples therapy.