How to Stop Overreacting in a Relationship

If you are in a relationship, you should know that both you and your partner most probably have the natural ability to bring out the best—and worst—in each other. Whether you have just wed recently or have already spent 7 years together, you would find yourselves overreacting in a manner that does not usually happen anywhere else in your lives. Now, if you find yourself always overreacting in your relationship, you can adopt the following tips to change things for the better.

Observe Self-Vigilance.

Physical realities of fatigue, stress and pain in our modern world can compromise the way we function physically, mentally and emotionally. In today’s culture where lack of sleep and multiple tasks are always demanding, the stage will often be set for overreaction. Luckily, self-vigilance, along with self-care, can avert this behavior.

Avoid Defensiveness.

One of the most effective solutions to overreacting is to stop once in a while to assert and evaluate what you believe is true. Remember that there is power in certitude that does not require defensiveness.

Try to Be Assertive.

If presumption and inquiry have become a negative pattern in your relationship, you should believe in yourself and assert what you know to be true, which is an effective alternative to overreacting.

Disregard the Bait.

There would be times when your partner tries to pursue presumptions in an accusative manner, so do not take the bait. There are many things that you can do to walk away from a negative pattern that can hurt your relationship, like walking the dog or getting up to make a cup of coffee. And after this, just make sure to return prepared to go on with your day. Try to be present but avoid participating in negative interactions.

Practice Disengagement.

As soon as you learn to disengage from predictable reactivity, you will be able bring self-control and cognition to your future reactions, where you and your partner will be in a better position to maintain your relationship.

Nurture Some Self-Help Behavior.

Things that can encourage questions about fear of intimacy, co-dependency, bottled resentments, managing anger and re-kindling love can invaluably support disengagement from patterns of overreaction. If things are more serious, you can seek professional help.

Think About Your Children.

For the sake of your children, you can avoid any pattern of overreaction. Just think of it this way—everything you say to each other will also be the things you would be saying to your children. Keep in mind that lack of agreement and harmony in a relationship can be emotionally harmful to your children, so have the courage to stop when you feel that you are going to overreact.

When you are indeed a person who overreacts in a negative way, you need not worry as you can definitely change things from such a way. You just need to step out of the usual pattern and consider the remedies mentioned above to benefit your relationship. By reducing overreactions, you will be able to address negativity and open the door to make your relationship better and stronger.