Some couples too close for comfort while isolating

A local relationship counselor says communication is the key tool in getting through this challenging time

This pandemic has some of us in close quarters..

And others trying to maintain a relationship from a distance..

Kezi 9 news reporter chris lueneburg spoke to a relationship counselor today about how to deal the strain brought on by the virus.

Trt: 1:34 0:00 isolated together/eugene 0:13 julian reese & samantha rehger/couple of 10 years 0:30 richard pomper/eugene relationship counseling 1:05 chris lueneburg it's tight quarters for couple julian reese and samantha rehger.

"we're in a tiny home over at emerald village."

Tighter than most are used to-- but social distancing has them finding new ways to spend time together.

"more time to talk, less distractions probably."

"and working together.

We help each other do cooking.

Whatever needs done we do it together."

But isolating together isn't so easy for every couple.

Licesned marriage and family therapist richard pomper says he's seeing new and old clients coming for help "i have people that have long-term relationships that are having issues, people that have only been married a month having issues."

Pomper says couples dealing with the stress of the pandemic are seeing sides of each other they never have before.

"people revert to their lowest coping strategies usually during these kinds of times.

We need to be able to allow for that and find new coping strategies."

Communication is key.

Maximize talk about what's going right in your relationship-- and when you discuss criticism do so compassionately "now, traditional dates are out of the question-- so pomper reccommends getting creative in little ways-- instead of sending his partner flowers... he says he sent her virtual ones instead."

But alone time is also critical in relieving stress... even going to the next room over can be healthy-- some even hope to strengthen their bonds in this time.

"has this brought you closer together?"

"yes" an uncertain chapter in love stories all over the world.

Reporting in eugene i'm chris lueneburg kezi 9 news.

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