13: Supporting Your Spouse During Stressful Times

Thanks for joining us again on the Love How Deep Podcast with Brian & Heather Mayer.  In today's episode, we will explore externals stressors that can happen to either or both spouses in a marriage.  Most importantly we will discuss some helpful ways to be supportive when those stressors happen.  Enjoy the episode!     I. Understanding External Stress A. Definition of external stressors B. Common sources of external stress (work, finances, family, health etc.) C. Impact of external stress on individuals and relationships   II. 5 Strategies to Support Your Spouse   A. Active Listening 1. Importance of listening without judgment 2. Tips for effective listening (repeating back what you heard & asking questions) 3. Creating a safe space for your spouse to express themselves   B. Offering Practical Help (Solutions) 1. Identifying specific stressors 2. Ways to provide tangible support 3. Collaborative problem-solving   C. Encouraging Self-Care 1. Importance of self-care during stressful times 2. Suggestions for self-care activities 3. Encouraging and participating in self-care routines together   D. Expressing Empathy and Understanding 1. Validating your spouse's feelings 2. Avoiding dismissive statements 3. Cultivating a sense of empathy   F. Praying for and with Your Spouse 1. Incorporating prayer as a supportive practice 2. The role of faith in navigating external stressors 3. Ways to integrate prayer into your relationship   IV. Final Tips A. Recognizing signs of stress in your spouse B. Taking care of your own well-being while supporting your spouse C. Seeking professional help if needed   V. Conclusion A. Recap of the six strategies B. Emphasizing the importance of supporting each other during challenging times   Closing: Please sign up for the date night activities at https://www.lovehowdeep.com/date-night-ideas Thank you for tuning in!