A little jealousy is normal, but when this goes overboard, it has the potential to spoil even the best of relationships. Important for a healthy and happy relationship is knowing how to handle the jealousy.
In this article, we bring you seven easy ways to combat jealousy, build trust, and feel enhanced security toward your partner. By the end, you will have read some great ways of how to handle jealousy and make your relationship stronger.[7 Signs of a Healthy Relationship]
Jealousy in a Relationship
What is jealousy in a relationship?
Jealousy is an emotion that sets in when we feel like we are possibly about to lose someone or something we treasure. When it comes to relationships, jealousy is one of the major issues caused by insecurity, or something that makes one feel like they are going to lose the attention being given by their partner.
In order to find the best way to deal with jealousy, think about what it is that makes you feel this way.
- A belief that your partner is up to no good may be rooted in a past history of being fooled or betrayed.
- Low self-worth may cause you to compare yourself to others or unfavourably to your partner.
- Fears of losing your partner are typically generated by your past experiences and can be another contributing factor.The first step to understanding how you can cope with jealousy is to understand what causes it.
[7 Ways to Build Trust in Your Relationship]
How Jealousy Affects Relationships
Much negativity could be the base of jealousy in this kind of relationship. This would make you fret, and there will be a lack of trust between you and your partner.
This wouldn't cause fights and misunderstandings unless jealousy is not managed, but maybe not the involvement of the police, which is the last element to push you and your partner apart.
Learning not to be jealous keeps your relationship healthy and strong. In the course of controlling jealousy, you develop trust and a closer bond.
Is jealousy ever healthy?
Jealousy does not have to be all bad; at times, it is a way of indicating that something may be missing attention in our relationship. For instance, a little jealousy may remind us of showing more love and care. But when it gets strong, it's like weeds in a garden: if you don't pull them out, they grow and take over. Knowing how to handle jealousy in a good way is important.
How to Deal with Jealousy
Understanding the causes of jealousy
The first steps to dealing with jealousy are to understand for what reasons you experience this feeling. But jealousy works precisely like a fire alarm: it tells you what you need to pay attention to, and in most cases, there is no real danger. Often, you need only to reset the alarm.
Hopefully, understanding whether it is actually an issue concerning a real problem or your own insecurity is a big part of it.
Communicating openly and honestly with your partner
Jealousy can be best dealt with by speaking openly to your partner about what is going on in your mind. Share your worries transparently without putting the blame on or accusing the other person.
This will clear the confusion and strengthen your bond. Use "I" statements, such as "I feel jealous when..." to discuss your feelings without making your partner feel bad. The way to avoid jealousy and establish trust between you two is good communication. [Why Is Communication Important in a Relationship?]
Recognizing When Jealousy is a Warning Sign
Sometimes, jealousy indicates that something greater may be wrong in the relationship. Your jealousy may be warranted if you are acting upon real issues—emotional manipulation, for example—and that may be a red flag.
Knowing when it is time to seek the help of a counsellor or therapist can go a long way toward learning ways to manage jealousy and keep your relationship healthy.
7 Simple Tips to Deal With Jealousy
Tip 1: Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is amazing when it comes to curbing jealousy. Take your time to check with yourself, know your feelings, and practice mindfulness through deep breathing or quiet time.
This helps you to remain calm and notice whenever the jealousy creeps up. This helps you to deal with your feelings before they get too strong.
Tip 2: Work on self-esteem
Feeling badly about yourself can often put you in a frame of mind that makes you feel jealous. Feel less jealous by working on feeling better about who you are.
Do things that make you proud, set small goals, and say positive things about yourself. The more you believe in yourself, the easier it will be to manage jealousy.
Tip 3: Set and Respect Healthy Boundaries
Establishing clear boundaries also thwarts envy and jealousy from taking command of your relationship. Discuss with your partner the things that are acceptable and those that are not, for instance, how much time to dedicate to social media or to hanging out with friends.
Boundaries pave the way for confidence and respect, and hence it will be easier to deal with any jealousy that may surface.
Tip 4: Reframe negative thoughts
The change in negative thoughts is a really good way to deal with jealousy. If you feel jealous, ask yourself whether there is real proof to back up these feelings.
Try replacing the jealous thoughts with nice thoughts: think about the good times/trust you share with your partner. In this way, you focus on the positives, other than getting stuck with your jealous feelings.
Tip 5: Focus on improving your relationship
Devoting time and effort to your relationship can help you reduce feelings of jealousy. Sharing time together in the form of dates or hobbies only cements your bond. The more the bond developed toward your partner, the less the likelihood of feeling jealous.
Make it a habit to do activities that build trust and always keep communication lines open.
Tip 6: Build Trust Gradually
Trust cannot work in a day, especially if there were problems before. Escape from jealousy through honesty, reliability, and kindness. It just takes effort from both partners: openness and tolerance to understand how trust grows with time.
Knowing how to build trust over time is an important part of learning how to deal with jealousy. [7 Ways to Build Trust in Your Relationship]
Tip 7: Seek professional guidance when necessary
If your jealousy is stressing you out or causing conflict, it's time to get a handle on it now. Therapists and counsellors can teach you how to understand and manage your feelings better.
Don't hesitate to seek their help. This shows that you really are serious about having a healthier relationship.
Additional Strategies to Overcome Jealousy
Managing Jealousy: Extra Tips
- Practice Gratitude and Positivity: Accentuate what you love about your partner and relationship, and it will help decrease the feeling of jealousy.
- Stay Physically and Mentally Healthy: Keep exercising, get sufficient sleep, and eat well—because that helps in managing your emotions better.
- Cultivate Personal Interests and Friendships: A healthy life balance outside of your relationship should avoid putting you in a position of feeling too needy and therefore jealous.
In Summary
It is hard to get over the jealousy in a relationship, but with the right steps, you can handle it. You can build a better and happier relationship by learning to understand yourself, talking openly, setting boundaries, and asking for help when you need it.
Remember, how to cope with jealousy is a process that takes time and practice, but in the long run, it might make your relationship infinitely better.
FAQs
What causes jealousy in a relationship?
Many factors can cause jealousy, like feelings of insecurity, betrayals in the past, worries of losing the other, and many more. The majority of such feelings surface when someone is feeling a sense of fear or uncertainty in relation to the other.
How do I overcome feeling jealous?
You can overcome jealousy by first determining why you feel that way, being open with your partner, establishing boundaries, and working on feeling good about yourself. If the jealousy persists, you may want to consider seeking a therapist for support.