Does using social media ever distract you from your couple relationship? Involvement in social media adds another task to already busy and over-programmed day. I have clients tell me daily about how busy they are, how they don’t have time to do some of the things that they know will help their relationship. They rattle of lists of sports practices, school plays, musical performances, volunteer assignments, etc. Sound familiar? Life is too busy. When time is spent using social media when there is little time for focus on your marriage, how can that be healthy? Are the social interactions online that much more beneficial for you and your spouse than finding more moments for your marital relationship? I am not suggesting that all social media interactions are a problem. I use social media on a regular basis. However, you might consider these three recommendations to make sure social media doesn’t distract you from your relationship:
1. You need to rely on each other for support. If your social media friends or networks are taking the place of your spouse, you should discuss the issue with your spouse. See what they want and need from you. Adjust your usage to accommodate.
2. You need to keep you spouse as your first priority. If your spouse feels that social media or social media friends/connections are a higher priority to you then you should really evaluate if social media is worth using. If you have had a situation where your spouse has felt second to social media, he/she will be increasingly sensitive to those issues in the future. Do whatever it takes to ensure those issues do not happen again.
3. You need to keep your emotional connection strong. Make sure the emotional connection you have with your spouse is always a priority. If you maintain very healthy emotional bonds and you maintain good daily, weekly, and yearly traditions to support those bonds, using social media may not be a problem.