Coping with Stress When ‘Home is Where the Work Is’

The phrase “home is where the heart is” perfectly encapsulates the emotional aspects of having a home—it is the place that provides peace and comfort. Imagine then, when home is no longer a source of solace to a spouse whose husband works remotely. Working from home often means blurring the line between being on the job and off, so it can be difficult for partners of remote employees to know where to draw the boundaries in order to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

When home is also your partner's workplace, the whole dynamic can easily throw you off balance. The work will always come first due to the fact that there is more riding on the employee’s professional performance than the wellbeing of the relationship. This can make those working from home more focused on themselves, which may allow certain problems that are already present in the relationship to fester without being addressed. It is important to find ways of coping in order to create a happy and welcoming home environment.

Communication between partners is key to a successful marriage and both parties need to be transparent about their worries, hopes and dreams. If a spouse feels like her husband is not taking the time to listen to her feelings and concerns, then it is important for her to vocalize them despite possible resistance from him because working remotely could actually mean more demands instead of less. This can leave one partner feeling neglected or pushed aside and she needs to communicate her needs if her husband is to understand and be responsive to them.

It is also necessary to create quality moments to reconnect on a regular basis. These moments should be like a little escape from the everyday struggles of life. This can range from planning regular get-aways to simply spending quality time together at home. Taking the time to bond over conversations, hobbies and interests, or simple activities like cooking together can help strengthen the connection between both parties and make life at home a bit more bearable.

In order to keep a strong relationship while her husband works remotely, it is important that the spouse of the employee finds activities to occupy herself. This may include picking up new skills or hobbies, catching up with friends and family regularly, exploring an area of interest or developing a professional network. Self-care should also be prioritized through activities like exercise, eating healthy meals and getting enough sleep which will boost her physical and psychological health. In the pursuit of these goals, it is vital for a spouse to set boundaries and avoid becoming too dependent on her partner.

Finally, spouses of remote employees should be aware of their own triggers in terms of overwhelm and stress. Relationships are full of give and take and learning to cope with each partner’s unique abilities and limitations is essential for a peaceful marriage. Acknowledging these things can give couples the tools to establish a successful home environment even in the most stressful times.