Crossover stress, no thanks! How relationships don't suffer from work and everyday life

Things are getting busy again at work, the email inbox is full and the to-do list is long. And then, of all times, the person in charge turns the corner and still has an order under his arm that should best be completed the day before yesterday.can be quite grueling. Overtime, fatigue and the constant feeling of having forgotten something not only cause inner unrest at work, but also often spill over into everyday life. It's understandable that you inevitably bring work stress home with you. Not good for yourself, even worse for the relationship. Because she may then get the full blow of the pent-up anger.But what can you do about this so-called crossover stress? How do you separate work and everyday life? And how should you in general??We have collected a few answers.

Do you know this if youfrom one area of ​​life to the other? When one person is stressed and transfers their bad mood to the other person? Then we talk about crossover stress, an annoying phenomenon in which stress starts with one person and one point and then spreads to other areas of life (indirect crossover stress) and people (direct crossover stress). People are unable to push aside negative feelings or separate areas of life from each other. There is no emotional separation here, but there iswith other people who allow themselves to be infected by the stress. This often leads to conflicts and threatens theof those affected.

When you're stressed at work, you come home and have to get rid of your frustration. It's not uncommon for the people you live with or are close to to be in a bad mood. You are annoyed, impatient and tense. You don't want to talk, you just want to vent. Absolutely understandable. However, if there is a relationship quarrel just because you are in a bad mood, that is unfair. Empathy with all due respect, but if the partnership constantly has to suffer from your work stress, then you are doing something wrong. In a relationship you pick up the other person, yes, but that doesn't mean you always have to let yourself be dragged down. People who are familiar with this problem must learn to separate work and everyday life more strictly. Crossover stress that you bring into your relationship from work can quickly endanger it. You argue, you are restless, you suffer. This is really not what a healthy relationship looks like.

In case you haven't noticed, crossover stress can suck. When the relationship has to suffer because of the stress at work, it's pretty annoying. But it can also be just as annoying when other areas of life are affected. For example, if stress between friends puts a strain on the relationship. Or when arguments in the relationship endanger friendships and you can no longer think clearly at work. As soon as everyday stress affects interpersonal connections (or vice versa), it becomes a problem. Then you urgently need to learn to avoid crossover stress and better differentiate between work and everyday life. We'll now tell you how to do this.

Just so we understand each other: It's completely normal to be stressed sometimes. Certain life situations cause us to feel inner unrest, but we cannot always defend ourselves against this. It's also normal that you don't come home after a hard day at work and you're in a good mood - completely understandable. You can also be in a bad mood and vent your anger sometimes, that's just part of it and relationships have to endure. But if you are a long-term victim of crossover stress, you will be doing yourself and your relationship a big favor if you learn to emotionally distance yourself from stress - or. Here are a few tips on how to achieve this:

1.Open communication:The fact that you are stressed is often not the problem with crossover stress. Stress becomes a problem not because you make it an issue, but because you allow yourself to be influenced by it. So talk about it calmly in your relationship and with your loved ones. State the reasons why certain situations cause you inner unrest and try to find a common solution. Addressing a bad mood is much more helpful than letting a bad mood out on others. The conversation under the premise “How can I help you?” Searching also helps people when dealing with partners who are currently stressed.

2.Delimitation:People who suffer from crossover stress must learn to distance themselves from it in the long term. Stress at work is stress at work. This has nothing to do with your relationship. The goal is to let the job be a job and distract yourself with other, nicer things when you get home.

3.Set boundaries:If you notice that the other person tends to bring home crossover stress, you should listen to them and be empathetic, yes, but also. Make it clear to her that anger with the boss has no place in her quality time. This will help you protect yourself and prevent one person's stress from putting a strain on the entire relationship.

4.Reduce stress:Stress that you feel because of your job or everyday life should not be taken into the relationship. That's why you should find a way to deal well with your own stress. Meditation,or exercise can help combat inner restlessness. Balance – also in the partnership – is the key word.

5.Seek support:We've just suggested that communication in the relationship helps protect it from crossover stress. If you are not in a relationship or just want to deal with your bad mood, trusting communication with others can also help. Seek support from colleagues, family or someoneto better manage their stress.

6.Allow me time:Sometimes you just can't help but let your bad mood out. In moments like this, it often helps to just be alone and relax before coming into direct contact with others who have nothing to do with the stress trigger. Listen to yourself and your needs, take the time and go for a walk, for example. This can sometimes work wonders.

7.Develop problem-solving strategies:The most important place to start when dealing with crossover stress is to fight the stress trigger. Because no one has to take stress home with them if they don't feel any. We know it's easier said than done, but being constantly stressed at work isn't a solution either. Ask yourself why you are stressed in the first place and what is causing you inner turmoil. Are you overwhelmed with your tasks, is it the tone at work and can you do something about it? In this article we give about burnout at work. Then your relationship and other areas of life no longer have to suffer.