How Marriage Counseling Manages Everyday Stress
When Georgia had twins, her whole life had changed. She went from being a workaholic and a “weekend warrior” to a busy mom, with no time for her online business or personal endeavors. Her husband Jake picked up the slack work-wise by taking on an additional job assignment, leaving him very little time to help Georgia with the new additions to the family. As they sat before the couples counselor, both were visibly stressed and shaken.
Georgia needed a break quickly:
My hands have been shaking lately, which is scary. I can’t sleep. I’m just afraid that two children are too much for us. We didn’t expect twins. I mean, I’m still trying to wrap my head around having children in the first place. I wasn’t sure how much I even wanted one. Of course, I love my kids. But I’m afraid we’re not going to make it. That the stress is going to break our marriage or mess up my abilities to take care of my children. I need some relief.
The counselor realized that this couple was under an enormous amount of stress. He went on to suggest a stress management program for him, one he himself had developed. It outlined a new schedule for the couple that included one-on-one time, recreational time and meditation practices. While it wasn’t easy rearranging an already tight schedule, the couple was willing to make some adaptations for the sake of their marriage…and their sanity!
Counseling allowed for some very practical measures for the couple- ways in which they could manage stress during a difficult year. The couple, after several months, felt they had developed a healthier “life pattern” for themselves. Yes, they still experienced stress - but now it seemed manageable.
