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Snigdha Mallik, a software engineer fro Delhi, could not believe how her relationship with her husband started to change during the lockdown. Since both were working from home, what surprised Snigdha was that she was expected to do most of the household chores while her husband just 'helped' her. Besides that, she had to manage her office work and then there are moments where she needed to play the role of a perfect wife in bed.
"It is really frustrating. The lockdown had made me realise these ugly facets of married life that had otherwise gone unnoticed. I feel so trapped and depressed. I even tried talking to my husband, he said I was only overreacting," shared Snigha.

Snigdha is not alone, there are thousands like her who are feeling trapped in their relationships during the lockdown. "I have been getting frequent calls for help from distressed couples. Yes, the lockdown definitely had changed our lives and some changes, unfortunately, are very difficult to adjust to," said Shweta Singh, senior consultant psychologist. "One of the main reasons why couples might be feeling trapped is invasion of space. Also, stress and anxiety can add to their frustration."
Here are a few expert-approved ways to stop feeling trapped in your marriage or relationship during the lockdown.

Give each other space/ have 'me time'
As per relationship experts, it's very important to give each other space. It may be very difficult to avoid breathing down each other's neck during the lockdown, but couples should still try to make space for each other. In this regard, having 'me time' where a person can do things that he or she likes without the interference of a partner would definitely help them feel relaxed.

Have a schedule

Just like we had a schedule earlier, it is equally important to have the same during the quarantine. A schedule helps people to maintain discipline, which is very important to lead a balanced life. Don't let the changes overwhelm you, You should try to do your work like you always used to.

Sharing household chores

Given the situation we are in, a major part of our stress and anxiety stems from the extra load of work we are handling now. For those women, who were not used to handling household chores, thanks to their maids and support staff, doing the same during the household can prove to be very overwhelming. And this can easily lead to frustration and a feeling of desperation. It is therefore important to insist that your partner or husband share household chores responsibilities.

Communication

All relationship experts stress on the importance of healthy communication because it is the key to a successful relationship. Given the situation that we are now, communication plays even more important role. Whenever you feel frustrated or trapped, you should let your partner know about it. Discussing the issues in your relationship and the problems you are facing, would help you find a solution together.