Is stress corroding your love life?

Whether it is work pressure, conflicts with in-laws or money matters, relationships and stress go hand-in-hand in a contemporary, fast-paced Is today's fast paced lifestyle is making our love life more stressful? (Getty Images) urban life. As deadlines replace conjugal intimacy, monthly budgets get in the way of candle-lit dinners, clash with in-laws leads to arguments with your partner and taking care of children leaves no time for tender moments - is stress corroding your love life? Sometimes, even minor issues can act as stress triggers leaving you irritable, moody and ill-tempered. If such emotions are not kept in check, your relationship may go awry, leaving you isolated and distressed. We bring you the common causes of tension between couples and expert tips to counter them... It's all about the money, honey! Do you know where your partner spends all his money? Is he/she investing enough? Does he/she share financial plans with you? Believe it or not, money is one of the major reason of conflict between couples. Often, if one partner doesn't share his/her expenses and investments, it may result in the other feeling left out and may cause dispute between the two. One partner earning significantly more than the other often results in inferiority complex or jealousy causing stress and creating differences in the relationship. Meenakshi Dayal, 34, a business woman, says, "I always tell my husband how much money I am earning and take all important financial decisions only after consulting him. On the other hand, he never tells me where he is investing his money and suddenly comes and tells me that he is buying a car next week or is planning a holiday. I get really annoyed for being informed at the last minute." Counter tip : Dr. Kiran Bakshi, a marriage and relationship counselor explains, "Money matters are often responsible for disputes in a marriage and if one allows it to take precedence over a relationship, it can get ugly and result in a divorce. So, even if you don't share the minutest details of your expenses or finances with your partner, it is important to keep your spouse in the loop while taking major financial decisions." Jealousy and possessiveness Jealousy is dangerous to a relationship because it wears away the one thing that holds two people together- faith. Does your partner always praise other men/women? Is he/she still in touch with his ex? Feelings of jealousy, possessiveness and insecurity are likely to cause a serious dent in your relationship, causing immense stress and anxiety regarding your partner's loyalty towards you. "My husband always praises his colleagues' wives and never acknowledges me for the things that I do for him. He keeps nagging me all the time and blames me for not being understanding enough. He doesn't allow me to go out with my friends at night, whereas he himself returns home in the wee hours of the morning. We often fight over these issues and there's nothing left in our relationship," whines Ankita (name changed on request), who works with a telecom company in Hyderabad. Counter tip : "Trust is crucial for a loving and lasting relationship. So, if you tell your wife, 'I don't want you to go out with your male colleagues,' it means you don't trust your wife enough. It is not just important to have faith in your partner, but also in your relationship," adds Dr. Kiran.