It goes without saying that since the coronavirus outbreak, the past couple of months have been nothing short of challenging. Around the globe, people are adjusting to the new normal by staying home as much as possible and practicing social distancing.
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Despite the circumstances surrounding these precautions, there's always a silver lining buried amid the chaos. One of the positives is spending more time with your loved ones at home! With that being said, we have to admit that being cooped up indoors for long periods of time can actually affect and put a strain between you and everyone in the house. So, we're here to share a couple of things you can do to maintain and strengthen your relationships during this time of isolation ?
Perform ibadah together
Take this window of opportunity to increase acts of ibadah with your family. As our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said:
"The best of you is the one who is best to his own family, and I am the best of you towards my family."(Sunan At-Tirmidhî, Sunan Ibn Mâjah)
Even though congregational prayers at the mosques isn't in the cards for the time being, you're still able to do it with your family at home. On top of praying, other acts of ibadah that can be done together are reading the Quran, dhikr and making dua. While it's sad to think about the possibility that mosques will remain closed during Ramadan, take a look at the bright side instead. It's a prolonged chance of bettering your relationship with your family, and a great chance to iftar with them and perform Terawih prayers or Qiyamulail together at home ❤️
P.S. If you're feeling overwhelmed and anxious, here are 7 ways to keep calm and stay positive during COVID-19.
Eat meals together
If there's one thing that brings people closer together, it's food ? Sharing a meal with someone offers a special kind of intimacy, which makes it the perfect thing to do to strengthen your relationship with your family. Take this time to connect, catch up and fill in one another about your day. If you can help it, make sure to leave phones and other electronics to the side so that you'll be free of any distractions. Whether you choose to do this during breakfast, lunch or dinner, all you really need is food that hits the spot and your family members around you to make mealtimes extra meaningful.
P.S. Have a feast at home when you order from these 11 Halal Korean eateries in KL with delivery options.
Bond over new recipes
Another way that food can help to better relationships is cooking. That's right, take it one step further by whipping up your meals together side by side. If you're inexperienced in the kitchen, you won't have to worry about facing the daunting process alone and if you're already a pro, an extra pair of hands is always helpful. Either way, time spent preparing a meal with your family is a great way to bond and create memories. Besides mealtimes, it's also another safe space where you can create conversations, share stories and essentially open up to each other.
P.S. To help you get started, here are 10 easy recipes you can make at home.
Express your gratitude
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No, you don't have to buy 500 long-stem roses or a diamond necklace to show your appreciation (but we're not stopping you if that's what you want to do ?). What we mean here is that saying a simple 'Thank you' or "I love you" goes a long way. With the current situation of the world, it's easy to get swept away with worries and bogged down under the weight of added responsibilities. So, by letting your loved ones know you're thankful for their company during this trying period and that their efforts haven't gone unnoticed, it'll improve your relationships for the better ❤️
Schedule some fun time
Everyone could use a little excitement especially given the current situation of the world. Carving out time for fun family activities is the way to do so while enhancing your relationships at home. Make a list of things that you enjoy as a family or even new activities you'd like to try. From throwing movie nights and playing board games to making arts and crafts, the possibilities are endless when it comes to having fun together ? Once you've got your list ready, all that's left to do is to pick a regular night that works with everyone's schedule so you'll have a dedicated time for family.
P.S. Get inspiration from these 10 ways you can keep your kids entertained at home (without any screens).
Do chores together
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A family who does chores together, stays together. Freshening up your home gives a sense of achievement, so why not make it a joint effort and share the accomplishment with each other? Create a list of household tasks and have everyone sign up. Then, set a schedule for the chores to be done at the same time. By doing this, not only are you bonding through teamwork, its also an efficient way to get the job done quicker when everyone is pitching in. Plus, it teaches the young ones in the family responsibility and essential life skills.
Give each other space
As much as spending time together helps with maintaining and strengthening relationships, giving each other some space is equally as important. While the idea of taking time for yourself may sound selfish but in reality, it benefits everyone as a whole! It's one of the best forms of self-care that gives you a chance to relax and recharge. With the time apart, it naturally makes you miss your loved ones and you'll be looking forward to hanging out with them ?
Now, you may be asking "How are you supposed to have any alone time when you're in isolation with other people?". It's simple, things like waking up before everyone else to enjoy a cup of coffee or practicing a nightly self-care routine in the bathroom are some ways to give yourself a break. So, take some time to do things that you enjoy on your own and come back from it ready to give more to your relationships.
P.S. Pamper yourself by following these 10 easy tips for a spa session at home.
It's normal to get on each other's nerves now and then, especially when you're spending 24/7 together. But with this list in mind, you'll be able to minimize the strain and improve your relationships at home while maintaining peace ❤️