A strong relationship has its foundation in positive feelings of love, understanding and cooperation. Having a go-to confidante serves as an anchor that keeps your boat afloat with joy and purpose. However, life unfolds several feelings as time passes. And even in the best of relationships, one can experience jealousy and insecurity surfacing. If you find yourself sailing in this boat, you need to figure out how to deal with jealousy in the relationship.
Health Shots got in touch with Dr Kamna Chhibber, clinical psychologist and head of the department of mental health and behavioral sciences at Fortis Healthcare, to understand ways of dealing with jealousy in a relationship.
Tips to deal with jealousy in a relationship
1. Identify the cause of jealousy
Feeling jealous is completely normal at times, however, the expert says, “Identity what is making you experience the emotions that are emerging.” It is important to understand where such feelings are coming from, as only then you’ll be able to navigate your way out of a specified concern.
2. Voice your concerns to your partner
Once you identify the cause, it’s important to proceed forward to see whether such feelings are an outcome of inner insecurity or are the result of your partner’s actions. If it has anything to do with your partner’s behavior, then the expert reckons to raise the concerns that you have with your partner that may be leading to these feelings. That way, you’ll draw more positive energy into your relationship for the better.
3. Speak to someone else for clarity
There could be times when you feel lost when trying to understand your feelings of jealousy. For clarity, you can speak or discuss the issue with someone else for better clarity and understanding.
4. Follow a holistic approach to deal with jealousy with your partner
Feeling inferior to your partner because maybe, you feel your partner has an attractive demeanor or traits in comparison to yourself is okay. However, don’t let those feelings hinder the progress of your relationship. The expert suggests to try to evaluate the situation more holistically and recognize that you also would possess traits and abilities that are qualitatively superior.
Also read: 7 tips every new dating couple can use for a healthy love story
5. Never lose sight of the positives
No matter how jealousy makes you feel, it’s imperative that you motivate yourself to take a balanced view and focus on the positivity you bring into each other’s lives. Rebuild trust and bond!
6. Shift your focus to better things
Whenever you find strong emotions swaying you, shift your attention to better things, and remind yourself to be calm before you react or respond. It’s always advisable to never give in to impulsive thoughts or feelings, and always give yourself the time to gauge things with emotional maturity.
7. Always focus on strengthening yourself
Remind yourself that you are your competition and not your partner. Always invest in strengthening yourself first. This will give you the emotional bandwidth to improve the relationships around you.
With these tips, try to overcome jealousy in a relationship to create a deep and fulfilling bond.