10 Oct How To Manage Anxiety In Your Relationship

This blog post was written by Recovery Help Now’s, Cindy Nigro, MFTi.

Relationship anxiety is an irrational fear experienced by many. The rejection and uncertainty of relationships can be scary. For individuals who are susceptible to relationship anxiety, the fear of relationships may become all consuming. Relationship anxiety may lead to an inability to embrace healthy intimate relationships. Practicing specific techniques can help manage and prevent relationship anxiety.

Here are some tips that can help:

1. Avoid the temptation to over analyze your relationship. We ultimately do not have control over every nuance of our partner’s life, thoughts or motivations. There is nothing we can do to fully protect ourselves from getting hurt.

2. Take responsibility for your anxiety.  Relationship anxiety stems from personal fears of emotional abandonment or fear of intimacy. Explore the nature of your fears and own up to them.  Individual and /or couples therapy can help with taking responsibility and exploring your feelings.

3. Learn how to feel safe with yourself and make an effort to enjoy your own company. Respecting and embracing yourself is the first step toward knowing how to healthfully respect and embrace another person.

4. Recognize that it can be equally hurtful to emotionally crowd your partner or emotionally distance yourself from your partner. A balanced relationship is a partnership of two self sustaining individuals who are both present and available for one another.

5.  Think positive. Practice daily affirmations that will put you in a happy and secure state of mind. Try something like, “I am at peace.”

6.  Volunteer your time to the less fortunate. Working for a nonprofit organization or with the homeless or underprivileged will help you to put your fears into perspective and channel your energy away from your preoccupation with yourself.