• COVID-19

    Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Coping with relationship stress during the COVID-19 pandemic

a young couple, a white man and a white woman, sitting together at a kitchen table looking stressed, sad, worried while working on a computer

The holiday season can be stressful all on its own, but add the COVID-19 pandemic and you have the potential for increased anxiety. With health concerns and potential financial worries, coupled with being inside for the winter, some relationships might be feeling the tension of too much togetherness.

"At the beginning of the pandemic, I was hearing a lot from couples that I work with, about how much they were appreciating the ability to spend more time together," says Dr. Jennifer Vencill, a Mayo Clinic psychologist. "But that story is starting to shift a little."

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Vencill talks about positive habits, intentional communication and virtual counseling, and she offers strategies for struggling relationships.


Watch: Dr. Vencill discusses coping with relationship stress

For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

For more information and all your COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.

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