Luisa Tam

The Naked Truth | Signs you are growing apart in a relationship and how to stop it from happening

The pandemic is forcing many people to spend a lot of time with each other at home, but forced physical intimacy can sometimes create emotional distance

Valentina Tudose, a relationship expert and certified hypnotherapist, provides tips on how to fix a relationship that is becoming distant

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There are many reasons that couples end up feeling emotionally distant or disconnected. There are ways to rekindle the spark, though. Photo: Getty Images

Luisa Tam

Published: 2:30am, 30 May 2021Updated: 3:01am, 30 May 2021

Many of us have been living in close quarters with family members or partners for extended periods after more than a year of various lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic. However, being physically close with each other doesn’t always spawn meaningful bonding.

Sometimes, forced intimacy might have the opposite effect. Being cooped up with someone can drive you apart and create emotional – as well as physical – distance.

There are many reasons that lead to couples feeling emotionally distant or disconnected. Some, too comfortable in their relationships, take each other for granted and neglect to grow the “us” in the partnership. Their interactions are transactional and functional and, over time, they become strangers living worlds apart. This is because their conversations likely revolve around kids, family, mundane routines and schedules, and not each other. Their time together is dedicated to other people instead, which means these couples aren’t spending quality time together.

Whatever the reasons behind this shortfall – be it stress, busy schedules, work, domestic chores, physical exhaustion or even boredom – they are indicative of partners avoiding intimacy and pulling away from each other.

Being cooped up with someone can drive you apart and create emotional distance. Photo: Getty Images

Valentina Tudose, a relationship expert and certified hypnotherapist, explains the journey of love between two people.

The Naked Truth | Signs you are growing apart in a relationship and how to stop it from happening

The pandemic is forcing many people to spend a lot of time with each other at home, but forced physical intimacy can sometimes create emotional distance Valentina Tudose, a relationship expert and certified hypnotherapist, provides tips on how to fix a relationship that is becoming distant

The pandemic is forcing many people to spend a lot of time with each other at home, but forced physical intimacy can sometimes create emotional distance

Valentina Tudose, a relationship expert and certified hypnotherapist, provides tips on how to fix a relationship that is becoming distant