7 façons d'être présent pour votre partenaire lorsqu'il est stressé par son travail

A relation is more than just celebrating the wins together. You see the love of your life vulnerable after a meeting went wrong or panicking because of a high-stakes project. It hurts seeing them worry over their job and responsibilities, and the emotions can trickle into your partnership. Thus, it’s essential to figure out how to support your partner when stressed at work.

Effects of Work Stress on Your Relationships

Work stress manifests in all kinds of ways in your relationship. It could mean fewer date nights or emotional disconnect when you’re with each other. About 17% of American couples argued over the amount of quality time spent together. There could also be changes in their behavior, like how they participate less in housework or ask less about your day.

While many partners wish they could fully eliminate the burden of work responsibilities, it’s a rampant problem that many employees face. In 2023, about 77% of workers experienced work-related stress in the past month. It affects their mental health and dynamics with loved ones, with their relationships caught in the crossfire.

How to Support Your Partner When They’re Stressed at Work

Jobs are necessary to keep living, but it’s understandable to feel hurt when your partner is undergoing work stress and all the changes that come with it. While you are not fully responsible for their mental and emotional well-being, there are some ways to ease the pressure. Here’s how to support your partner when they’re stressed at work:

1. Have a Conversation

The first step is to discuss the game plan when your partner is stressed at work. Ask, “When you have a rough day, how can I help?” Some people process their worries better when given space, while others may want someone to confide in.

It’s also good to have a conversation outside of work. They already spend about eight hours a day or more at the workplace. Catch them up on the latest trends online or tell them about something that happened during your day.

2. Shower Them with Love and Affection

Wash away work stress with tender loving and affection. Some partners may want to receive it numerous times. Here are a couple of love languages you can showcase:

• Physical touch: Bad day at work? Give them a kiss or a long hug, allowing them to pull away when they feel satisfied. You can also volunteer to massage them to help them sleep at night.

• Words of affirmation: Your partner may feel underappreciated in the workplace. Tell them how much you recognize and love them for the hard work they put into their projects. Compliment their grit and determination.

• Quality time: Quality time manifests in any activity, but the main thing is to let your partner do what they love. For example, let them play a game on the TV and join them on the couch. You can get a second controller or spend the night watching them.

• Acts of service: Acts of service means doing something for your partner to make their life easier. You can organize their work desk or meal prep for the upcoming week.

• Receiving gifts: Something as simple as earplugs to block out noise during their work commute feels heartwarming. Experience-based gifts like movie tickets are also a joy.

3. Take the Lead in Planning Date Night

Rather than waiting for your partner to initiate date night, plan it yourselves. Plan out these outings at least once a week depending on your schedules. They will thank you for taking the lead and spoiling them for the night.

Remember to consider their energy levels. If they’re experiencing more work stress than usual, a staycation may be more rejuvenating than a camping trip.

4. Become Their Coworking Buddy

If you have a partner who feels guilty about stressing over work, calm them down. Set a date to have a little coworking space in the living room. You can take care of your own personal projects while they get a handle on their responsibilities.

While coworking, you can also be their thinking buddy. Ask about what they’re working on and if they need any help. Having someone to brainstorm with halves the pressure.

5. Encourage Participating in Self-Care

After co-working together, encourage a little self-care time. You can suggest reading a book or watching their favorite movie on the TV. Have dinner on the couch and head to bed for the night afterward. These activities allow them to manage their stress and recuperate their energy. By morning, they’ll be fully recharged and ready for work again.

6. Clean Up the Home

A clean home is comforting after stressing over work. Sweep and vacuum the whole house. Wash the dishes and maybe even light a candle as your partner returns from the workplace or exits their home workstation. If they feel bad about not contributing, you can leave an easy chore like taking out the trash or watering the houseplants.

7. Give Them and Yourself Grace

Being there for your partner is mostly about being patient. Your partner can definitely get a little grumpy at times, but forgiving them lets you process your own pain and move on. You should also give yourself grace, as you can do only so much. They need to solve their work problems on their own, and your job is to support them and do your best.

Be Patient with Your Partner

Communicate and exercise patience with your partner to prevent work stress from straining your relationship. Give them the support they need and take everything slow.