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Volunteer for a worthy cause with your spouse. Help to provide blankets, gloves, and coats for the homeless. Help to host a Christmas party for children in an impoverished area. Don’t pass by a Salvation Army bell ringer without donating in their bucket. Find out the opportunities in your area and involve the kids if appropriate. Many churches have options for serving those in need.   A more profound sense of gratitude and appreciation for your blessings will grow from your participation. Giving of time, self, and material resources celebrates "the reason for the season" in the best way.   There's no way to avoid the stress of the holidays altogether; however, the season can be enjoyed and celebrated with proactive conversations and planning. If you would like to discuss how we can help you and your relationship, don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or call 866-218-1716. You may also visit our website, www.LoveRecon.org, for testimonials and information. Read the full article

reasonable and positive expectations and hopes? Family members most likely haven’t changed since last year, so what boundaries do you need to set to protect yourself and your relationship? - What is the one thing that you would most like to do this season? Why? Is it attending a concert or event? Is it making sure that we plan an overnight trip?   Is it decorating the outside of the house, etc.? - What do you fear the most about the season? Dealing with a difficult family situation? Not being able to fulfill everyone else's expectations and hurting feelings? Being ill and not able to enjoy the festivities? Be honest and vulnerable. Getting it out will "shrink" it, and you will have your partner's understanding and support, even if they can't "fix it." - What can we do if situations become tense or worse? Have a plan. For instance, you can have a pre-agreed-upon signal to use. Either of you can give the signal, and then you will take a walk together. You can check in with each other and get fresh air and a little exercise simultaneously! - How can we stay connected emotionally during the holidays? You don’t have to have a long list, just one or two ways to maintain your closeness as a couple. For example, you could work out together, have morning coffee together before starting the day, plan for and prioritize your physical intimacy, etc. - Would you like to exchange gifts with each other this year? Be clear on how much you will spend if the answer is yes. - What do you think our holiday budget should be? A holiday budget, including gift-giving, events, activities, and extra food expenses, is always a good idea! In addition, you will decrease your stress and your credit card bills that will show up in February. If you would like to talk with someone about how you and your partner can better communicate through the holidays … and anytime …don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or call 866-218-1716. You may also visit our website, www.LoveRecon.org, for testimonials and information. Read the full article

every part of their relationship. Arguments about nothing can be a sign of this. If your spouse is feeling stressed, chances are you are also feeling stressed. Clutter, therefore, not only affects your spouse but also creates a stressful atmosphere for you.   - A Sense of Weariness Clutter is emotionally heavy. Walking into a cluttered room or garage can be overwhelming for some people. You may not realize it, but your cluttering could be causing your partner to feel frustrated, exhausted, and maybe angry about the mess and the tension between you.   - Judging and Arguing Clutter becomes a frequent topic of conversation. Unfortunately, nothing changes, so the non-clutterer may become frustrated and judge or verbally put down their spouse. As a result, their spouse may become defensive or combative, and no understanding or resolution is found.   - Feeling Devalued If your spouse lets you know specific clutter that bothers them, and you continue to clutter, they feel devalued and not considered worthy of the effort. It could be as simple as leaving your shoes in the den and not putting them in the closet. Each time they see your shoes in the middle of the floor, they will feel disrespected by you.   - Inability to Enjoy Life and People’’ You would love to invite friends to your home for dinner, but that would require hours of decluttering and organizing. You can't seem to get motivated and may be feeling stifled. All your relationships suffer because you are not participating in activities. Your partner may begin to feel disconnected from you and resentful because you are also stifling them. - Financial Difficulties You can't find the shoes you want to wear to an event, so you buy another pair. Things are lost or buried in your piles of stuff, so you repurchase what you already own because it's easier than organizing. Shopping could even be "retail therapy" because it makes you feel better, but you are gathering more stuff to add to the pile. You make unplanned purchases for unnecessary items and therefore accumulate more clutter. And, of course, financial difficulties will put extra strain on your relationship and, in some cases, even end the relationship.   Steps to Deal with Clutter   If the signs and symptoms of clutter above are evident in your relationship, then cluttering is an issue. Here are some simple steps to resolve the problem. - Listen to what your partner says and how they feel about the clutter. Be willing to hear what they say, and don't get defensive. Recognize that the clutter (maybe mostly done by you) is a real problem. Don't deny or dismiss it. - Get Organized. Take a weekend and get organized. Donate items that you haven't used for months … or years! Put your stuff in some semblance of order. Recycle the recyclables and throw things away. You will feel better, maybe if only because your spouse is happier. - Make Room. Clear out space in your closet(s), bedroom(s), study, garage, etc., so you will have room to keep what you want. - Get Help. If you don't have the time to get organized, or if it's not in your skill set, hire someone to help you. The cost of a professional organizer will be worth it if it creates a more peaceful, enjoyable, and stress-free environment in your home. - Designate Clutter-Free Spaces. This could be your bedroom, bathroom, workspace, or wherever you like to relax and recharge. - Establish Clear Up Clutter Routines. When my wife and I raised a family, our "clear up the clutter days" were Mondays and Thursdays. However, any day of the week that you saw something out of place, you were to pick it up and put it on the bed of the person to whom it belonged. Our motto was, "Don't pass it up. Pick it up." Then the person who owned the item would need to "put it up" so they could go to bed or leave it in a pile on the floor until Monday or Thursday. It was their choice. We still have the routines, even though it’s just the two of us in the house. - Learn the Value of Things. I'm not talking about monetary value here, but the place things occupy in your life. Do you own them, or do they own you? Would keeping and maintaining so much stuff give you a sense of peace, make your relationship happier, or bring you more joy? You don't have to become a strict minimalist and get rid of all your things. With communication, patience, and love, you can find a way to make both of you comfortable. Begin by understanding that your other half might be oblivious to the clutter and the effect that it is having on you. If you, however, are the messy one, be understanding and realize that your clutter could overwhelm your spouse. Whichever one you are, be willing to compromise and meet in the middle. If you want to discuss how we can help you and your relationship, please get in touch with me at [email protected] or call 866-218-1716. You may also visit our website, www.LoveRecon.org, for testimonials and information. Read the full article

Here are three simple guidelines to ensure that gaming does not become a negative force in your relationship: - First, pay attention to priorities and responsibilities. Pay attention to your spouse and their needs. Connect with your partner daily and check in with them before you immerse yourself in the alternate reality of your favorite game. Don't shirk your household chores and responsibilities. So, take out the trash or cook dinner or knock out whatever has your name beside it on the family "to-do" list, and then game away! - Use gaming as a hobby and for mental breaks.        Gaming can be great for unwinding and doing something that doesn't require a lot of brain power. Everyone needs some space to relax and decompress. You can be more present for each other if you have engaged in some healthy activity that centers and settles you. It's not okay, however, to use gaming as an avoidance tool so that you don't have to talk about issues. Likewise, it's not okay to take multiple days off work for gaming or to spend excessively and compulsively to support your gaming habit. - Include your spouse in gaming. According to a TIME article that cites a study on gaming in marriage, when a couple plays together in a spirit of fun and harmony, their marriage benefits. Find a game that you both can enjoy and occasionally play it together. One of you is most likely more into gaming than the other, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun as a gaming couple. The more experienced gamer must exhibit patience while the less skilled gamer learns the game. The more proficient gamer must also be clear about how to play the game and help their partner learn at their own pace. What you don't want to do is to make the less skilled partner feel frustrated or stupid. The phrase "all things in moderation" applies to gaming and many other behaviors and habits in life. Gaming can be a part of a balanced life and relationship or a negative force that causes hurt, misunderstanding, and division. If you want to discuss how we can help you and your relationship, please get in touch with me at [email protected] or call 866-218-1716. You may also visit our website, www.LoveRecon.org, for testimonials and information. Read the full article

- You think that neither partner should have to empathize with or nurture the other. The effort to understand each other's thoughts and feelings needs to be improved. - You and your partner are on your own when facing difficulties or distress. You don’t offer assistance or protection to each other. - Another person, task, activity, or thing takes priority over you or your partner. - You each put your needs first when a conflict involves your needs as a couple. - You take the axiom, “You do you, and I'll do me,” too far. - Your agreement, spoken or unspoken, is, "If it's good for me, then you need to accept it." Your relationship needs to be a priority. This view might not be popular with some, but your partner needs to be a priority over every other relationship in your life. This does include the kids as well. If you are in a blended family situation, this is a fine line that you must draw. You don't love your children any less, but the relationship with your partner is the priority in the home. In actuality, this will give the kids the boundaries and security that they need. The first step is for both of you to agree that you will prioritize your relationship in your life. And then you have to agree to work as a team to make the necessary changes to accomplish this goal. Then, when you are successful at this, you will achieve a happier and more fulfilling marriage. It will be so worth it! Steps to make your relationship a priority 1. Adopt the “We get to” mentality. Instead of thinking, “we have to do this," try re-framing your attitude to be "we get to…." We get to make our relationship a priority. I get to grow with you and learn how to love you better. I get to find out what you think and feel about things. 2. Be intentional about emotional connection. Be intentional about spending time each day -  just the two of you. It can be just a few minutes each day. Love Recon seminars and Recon Coaching teach the Dyad System to help you communicate on a deeper level in just a few minutes. In addition, you should get your copy of the 40 Days to a Thriving Relationship book. It was written help couples make the most of their quality time together. And, of course, plan a date night or a weekend getaway without the kids. Make it a priority! 3. Express gratitude daily. Expressing gratitude for your partner and things in your life will keep you focused on the good and positive aspects. You will realize your relationship's value and will be less likely to put it on the back burner. Thank your partner for the little things they do and the more significant things as well and how it makes you feel when they do them. 4. Empathize with your spouse. Empathy is sharing the feelings of someone else. Share your highs and lows, wins and challenges with each other daily, and be sure to enter into your spouse's feelings as you do. Statements like, "That must have been incredible!  I wish I could have been there to see it!" or "I'm so sorry that you had to deal with that today. Are you okay?" can let your spouse know that they are a priority to you and that you care about them. 5. Assume the best.  We tend to assume the worst about situations or even about our spouse. Try thinking that you love each other and want only the best for each other. Then, when one of you says something insensitive or unkind, it will be easier to resist assuming that it was hurtful on purpose. 6. Love your partner according to their "love language."  The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman is a book every couple should read.   Chapman’s premise is that everyone experiences love in five primary ways, called “love languages.” If you are not expressing love in a way that makes your partner feel loved, then you are wasting your effort, and they are feeling unloved. But, on the other hand, if you understand your partner's love language and each love each other accordingly, you will feel loved and cherished. 7. Tell each other first. If you have something to tell others about, share the news with your partner first – not your friends, parents, or co-workers. Your partner needs 8. Be playful and flirtatious.  Come on! You remember how to do this. You could meet at a bar or restaurant, arriving separately and pretending it's the first time you have encountered each other. You don’t have to leave home, however. Tickling, touching, laughing, seducing – have some fun! - Don’t neglect to say, “I love you!” Those three words don't grow old. Say them in the morning when you wake up,  when you are leaving or arriving home,  when you are hanging up from a call to each other, and randomly when you're together. It's a reminder that you are each other's person and lovers, not just roommates. You're in it together. Two people, one couple – all in! - Be affectionate. Hug, hold hands, snuggle, give each other a quick kiss. And do this in front of the kids so that they can have a healthy role model of an affectionate, loving relationship. You could also adopt the 10-second hug or 10-second kiss policy. You can call for a 10-second hug or kiss, and the other must comply. You'd be surprised how good it makes you feel! To prioritize your marriage or relationship, practice these suggestions, especially when you don't feel like it! For example, you may not "feel" loving, but if you act in loving ways, your feelings will catch up. You can't feel your way into an action, but you can act your way into a feeling.    If you want to discuss how we can help you and your relationship, please get in touch with me at [email protected] or call 866-218-1716. You may also visit our website, www.LoveRecon.org, for testimonials and information. Read the full article

10-15 years, while dogs usually live from 8 to 11 years, depending on size and weight. If you are not reasonably confident that you will be together for the foreseeable future, then forego pet ownership in the present. Getting a pet that will end up in the pound, or worse,  is only selfish and irresponsible. On the other hand, if you choose to become "pet parents," it could mean that you are more serious and more committed to your relationship. In that case, owning a pet could benefit both you and the fur baby you choose. - You will develop a higher level of responsibility. There will be fewer last-minute trips and adventures unless they involve the ability to take your pet with you. Even then, you must make plans to accommodate your pet while traveling. If you are not taking your pet, boarding or scheduling a pet sitter will involve advanced planning and preparation. Sufficient food, water, and medications must also be provided or arranged for.   In other words, you will experience less spontaneity and more responsibility. - You may experience negative feelings. One of you may be more committed to the pet's care than the other. The lesser-committed partner may resent having to take care of the pet. Arguments could build around who bathes the dog or empties the cat's litter box. You may even discover that your partner is lazy or selfish because they don’t offer to help care for the pet when you are unable or unavailable. - You will become more active. This is especially true with a dog. However, there is no more sleeping in late with a dog or a cat. Instead, your "slow-start" mornings are accelerated by the need to take the dog out for a walk or your cat's persistence in being fed or paid attention to. A sedentary life is not healthy for you or your pet, so increasing activity can be a good thing. - You will become healthier. And along the same theme, in a study of 240 couples done by the American Heart Association, pet owners showed    "significantly smaller increases in heart rate and blood pressure in response to stress ."Another study found that dog ownership helps reduce mortality in people with cardiovascular disease, "with the likelihood of mortality being 4.05 times greater for those who did not own a dog." - You will be forced to communicate and operate as a team. You will need to discuss responsibilities such as who will buy the food and supplies, who will feed and water the pet, who will take the dog out or walk it, who will arrange for visits to the groomer and the veterinarian, etc. You will learn to work as a team and, in the process, sort out your differences, problem-solve, and communicate. - You will experience fun and enjoyment. No doubt, your pet will perform goofy or cute antics. They will bring out your own "inner child" as you engage in play with them. Training your pet can also cause you to learn new skills and afford you the satisfaction of having a well-trained animal. You may also simply enjoy the companionship of another living being in your living spaces. - You will practice conflict management skills. What if you are more structured in training and disciplining the pet? Who will "win" if one partner wants the pet to sleep on the bed, but the other is opposed to sharing their sleeping space? You will learn to negotiate and compromise, two valuable relationship skills in working it all out. - You could experience jealousy! Your pet is so cute, especially when it is a "baby ."Your spouse can't resist cuddling with it and giving it undivided attention. Sometimes, you may feel that you get less affection and attention than your pet. It is easy for jealousy to arise, and you must discuss it calmly with your spouse. It could be as simple as making sure that you greet each other with a hug and kiss before engaging with your pet. - You will feel more like a “family.” In sharing love and care for a pet, you will feel more like parents and more like a family that includes fur babies. There is a bond that develops when you both nurture and discipline a pet. You are giving your time, attention, and financial support to another living being – just like parents do for a child. A pet can be a good indicator of how you will function as a couple when or if you do have children. - You will develop experiential intimacy. Caring for a pet will be a shared experience between you. You will go through the ups and downs of pet ownership. This will strengthen your connection and feelings of closeness. - There will be more stress at times. The added responsibilities – feeding, walking, grooming and bathing, immunizations, pet illness, etc. – cause stress that must be addressed and considered. - You will have more – or less – time together. Taking your pet on walks or playing with them together can increase your time with each other. On the other hand, doing things with your pet separately from your spouse can decrease your time together. If your lifestyle is already busy and packed, you will want to choose a pet that gives you the opportunity to spend more time together. - You will have less free and “me” time. The demands of caring for a pet will take more of your free time. Ask yourselves and each other if you are willing to give up a significant part of your free time by becoming pet owners. Are you ready to get up earlier and forgo those extra "z's" to care for your pet? Will you leave social events earlier so that you can provide the care that your pet requires? - You will have less disposable cash. According to the ASPCA, at a minimum, for the first year, dog expenses are around $1,270, and cat expenses can run about $1,070. Emergency vet bills, a hidden cost, can be as high as $4,000, not to mention unexpected medications or vitamins. The Texas Society of CPAs provides a worksheet to break down the cost of owning a pet. Becoming a pet owner can mean you must be willing to alter your lifestyle and make sacrifices - like eating out less, forgoing a second round of drinks, skipping $5 coffee/tea drinks, etc. - You will cherish your alone time. Every couple needs time alone together. Unfortunately, a pet can disrupt and interrupt this time. Be sure to close the door and have some alone couple time that your pet won't interrupt. Owning a pet can be an enriching and satisfying experience if it is the right time and the right pet for you and your partner. First, ensure you have communicated clearly about all the ramifications of pet adoption and that you are enthusiastic about adding a pet to your relationship. If you want to discuss how we can help you and your relationship, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or call 866-218-1716. You may also visit our website, www.LoveRecon.org, for testimonials and information. Read the full article

itself is neutral. It is what you assume about the action or situation that assigns its meaning. Based upon your assumption (belief), you then react. If you perceive that you are being ignored, controlled, devalued, etc. (Remember those hot buttons?) by your spouse, then you may react in a retaliatory manner toward them. This can escalate until it becomes a cycle of being offended, assuming negatively, then reacting in a way that offends your mate. They then assume and react in a way that offends you, and on it goes! Let’s break it down. Offense.  An offense is anything that hurts you emotionally. It can be a real offense, or you can perceive it as real. Either way, you are offended. Unmet expectations are a major source of offenses. It has been said that “expectations are just offenses paid forward.” If I expect a certain behavior or treatment from you and you don’t deliver, then I can become offended or hurt. So, offenses are the source of emotional pain whether or not the offense was intended and unmet expectations are often the reason we become offended. Assumption. An assumption is what we believe to be true about a person, their motives or the situation, whether or not it is based in fact. It is “our truth.” In fact, when we are offended, we tend to ascribe the worst possible motive or intent to the person that hurt us. This is where making the choice that will work for your relationship is critical! At this point we can choose to believe the best about our mate giving them the benefit of the doubt, or we can choose to believe that we are married to the spawn of Satan! Seriously, what you choose to believe at this point will determine whether you can reconnect with your mate or continue to move apart. Reaction. If you think the worst about your mate or the situation, you will escalate the situation by reacting in a way to offend or injure them, or you will withdraw from or stonewall them. If you choose to go with the reaction that works for the relationship, you could say something like: “I feel that there is distance between us and that we’re becoming disconnected. I don’t want to be upset with you and I don’t want you to be upset with me. I want to resolve this so that we can reconnect. Will you talk through this with me?” And then you would get into a dyad and use the “mirroring” or reflective listening communication tool. Listen to and validate each other’s feelings (you don’t have to agree) and then you can attack the issue and not each other! All it takes is one of you to stop a cycle of conflict. Dyad Think about a recent or recurring conflict. Pick a smaller one or one that is not that heated emotionally unless you are feeling really confident in your relationship. You probably won’t resolve it today. You will just get clarity and a better understanding of your spouse’s thoughts and feelings as well as your own. Follow these steps: Agree upon the conflict you wish to address.   A: Tell your mate your OFFENSE, ASSUMPTION and REACTION. “When you said or did..., it made me feel ...” “My assumption was..., and I reacted by... “   B: Mirror back what you heard: “What I heard you say was...,” Ask, “Did I get it?”.   A: Let them know how they did: “You got it!” or “You got most of it, but I really need you to hear...” Now switch roles and repeat the process for B.   B: Tell your mate your OFFENSE, ASSUMPTION and REACTION. “When you said or did..., it made me feel...” “My assumption was..., and I reacted by.... “   A: Mirror back what you heard: “What I heard you say was...,” Ask, “Did I get it?”.   B: Let them know how they did: “You got it!” or “You got most of it, but I really need you to hear...” Now that you have heard and validated each other, you are ready to move into addressing the conflict. You will do that in the next chapter. End with a hug, a kiss and a prayer or wish for your mate! Find out how Love Recon can help your marriage suceed! Read the full article

Please don't make assumptions about your partner or their anxiety! Having an open conversation, free of judgment can strengthen your relationship. It could be that they don't mention their anxiety, so you assume they don't want to talk about it. Then, not wanting to upset them, you don't bring up the subject either. This is a mistake! Read the next suggestion below.  ASK WHAT THEY NEED Ask them how you can best support them. Do they want advice? (Probably not!) Do they need you to listen and validate their feelings? What makes them most comfortable in living with anxiety? What makes them most uncomfortable? Some people don't want to discuss their struggle in front of others, even family or close friends. They may not need you to ask them how they are doing every morning. Instead, they may wish to share their feelings only as they arise. LEARN THE SIGNS Anxiety conditions are similar in that they usually involve persistent fear and worry. However, the manifestation of these symptoms can be very different. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of anxiety: - Physical Symptoms Digestive distress, insomnia, headaches, and muscle pain may be present. - Panic Attacks - Unfounded Worries About Health - Pandemic Anxiety – COVID-19 has created anxiety for many people. DON’T EXPLAIN THAT THEIR FEAR IS IRRATIONAL First, they probably know that their fear is not rational and that what they are worried about will never happen. Your explanation will likely make them feel stupid. You should ask them why this particular fear upsets them. Bringing the fear into the light will often neutralize or dissipate it. Let them tell you out loud how silly it is. Don't ever make that statement to them! DON’T TRY TO FIX OR RESCUE THEM You are their partner, their lover, not their therapist. They can't heal from this for you. It's only natural to want to do everything possible to heal your partner's pain and improve their life. As a general rule, however, mental health conditions don't disappear. This means that your partner's anxiety may never completely go away. In helping your partner through their feelings of anxiety, you might consider doing daily meditations together. In addition, make regular physical activity with them a habit. Walk, jog or cycle with them, for example. Exercise has been shown to boost serotonin levels in the brain, and serotonin may help ease anxiety and depression. VALIDATE THEIR FEELINGS Validating your partner lets them know that you "value" them, no matter their feelings. By its very nature, anxiety is not logical; therefore, your partner's fears may not seem logical to you. They probably know that their fear isn't rational. Telling them, "That doesn't make sense," or "That will never happen," only makes them feel frustrated or, worse, ashamed. Instead, try saying things like, - “I understand that you are feeling frightened and overwhelmed.” - "That sounds very upsetting. What can I do to help?" - “I get why you are so worried.” - “I hear that you are afraid that we will break up. I don’t want to lose you, either. “ Validation is not agreeing with or encouraging their anxiety. It is acknowledging their feelings without reinforcing them. Remember, validation is valuing them as a person. MAKE THEM FEEL SAFE Please don't make them feel that your love is conditional on them getting better. Of course, you want them to feel better, not so it will benefit you, but because you love them and want the best for them. Communicate that your love is constant. Instead of a mindset like, "Let's beat this!", it could be more supportive to approach anxiety from the perspective of, "I'm here to walk through this with you, and I'm not going anywhere." DON’T STOP YOUR LIFE It is essential that you practice good self-care and encourage your partner to do the same. Keep hobbies that you enjoy. Nurture your relationships with family and friends. Take the time to unwind and relax before bed. Get enough sleep. Eat regular meals, avoid fast foods, and stay hydrated. Don’t skip a friend’s birthday party or your nephew’s graduation because your partner is experiencing whatever phobia is gripping them now. Yes, they are in pain, but chances are they will feel guilty for keeping you from special events when they are better. Also, you need to avoid drowning in their whirlpool of emotions. Let them know your agenda and schedule. Check in on them and let them know you are thinking of them and will be home soon. SET BOUNDARIES AND EXPECTATIONS Boundaries set limits and clarify the expectations of what you will and will not do for someone else. Boundaries protect you physically and emotionally in a relationship. You might consider boundaries like: - Receiving texts from them when you are working, but not taking phone calls. - Going out with friends as planned instead of staying home because of their anxiety, yet promising to check in and to be home at 11:00 PM. - Designating a set amount of money to help them get professional help. - Being honest about your feelings and challenges that arise and not trying to shield or protect your partner from realities. They are still adults, not invalids, who need to participate in all aspects of your relationship. GO TO COUPLES COACHING OR COUNSELING Anything that affects one of you affects both of you. Anxiety can have a significant impact on your relationships. Often, one side effect of anxiety is irritability which can lead to more disagreements and an eventual pulling away from each other. The partner of someone with anxiety also may feel overwhelmed and begin to distance themselves to get relief. It is not at all unusual for anxiety to be accompanied by depression which can be detrimental to the relationship as well. Relationship counseling or coaching can help a couple learn to communicate and resolve conflict more effectively. It can help relieve tension and increase each partner's validation. Working on your relationship with a skilled professional is a healthy choice. Love Recon is an excellent and proven marriage help experience that has helped many break free from past baggage and damage, including anxiety and fear. SUGGEST THEY CONSIDER THERAPY In almost every instance, therapy can be beneficial for anxiety. If anxiety is disrupting everyday life and routines, beginning to affect sleep or physical health, and negatively affecting relationships, then it could be time to suggest therapy. Be tactful and wise in how you approach your partner. For therapy to be successful, the person must agree to it and connect with a therapist themselves. You can't do it for them. You can research therapists in your area and offer the best ones as suggestions. Once they have agreed to do therapy, you can offer to attend with them at the therapist's discretion. If you have loved ones or friends who have had good experiences with treatment, they could share their experiences with your partner. This is assuming, of course, that your partner is okay with them knowing. Hope for the future The good news is that anxiety often improves with treatment, and there's much you can do to support your partner in the meantime. Don't forget, however, to take care of your own needs also! If you want to discuss how we can help you and your relationship, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or call 866-218-1716. You may also visit our website, www.LoveRecon.org, for testimonials and information. Read the full article