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How Stress and Anxiety Impact Relationships (and What to Do About It)

Writer's picture: Megan DevitoMegan Devito


It’s easy to think stress and anxiety are all about you:

Your job, responsibilities, and the near-constant pressure you put on yourself.

Truthfully though, stress and anxiety don't stay in their lane.


They invade every part of your life—your health, your sleep, and especially your relationships.

And I’m not just talking about your romantic relationships. Stress and anxiety affect your friendships, your kids, your coworkers... everyone in your life.


They build walls, create tension, and add distance you might not even notice until it feels too big to fix.


But here’s the good news: you can change that.


Meet Sarah: She’s Kind of Like You

Sarah might not be real, but her story is a collection of most of the high-achieving women who come to work with me as their coach.


She’s a high-achiever, a mom to two busy teenagers, and the go-to person for just about everything in her family and community.


On the outside, Sarah looks like she has it all together: perfect hair, perfect smile, perfect life. But on the inside? She’s barely holding it together.


Last week, Sarah snapped at a coworker during a meeting. It wasn’t like her at all, and she couldn’t stop replaying it in her head, even after apologizing multiple times.

By the time she got home, the embarrassment and shame had her completely on edge. Her husband noticed something was wrong, and asked her what was wrong. When he tried to help, she burst into tears and snapped at him, too.

Sound familiar? It's a common problem.


How Stress Creeps Into Relationships

It’s easy to think stress is just about the to-do list and other people's expectations.

But really, it’s about the stories you’re telling yourself.


Thoughts like:

  • “I’m not good enough.”

  • “If I don’t do it perfectly, I’ll mess everything up.”

  • “Asking for help means I’m weak/stupid/failing.....”


These thoughts don’t just live in your head; they show up in your actions, too.

When you’re overwhelmed, you might:

  • Snap at your partner out of frustration.

  • Feel resentful when no one notices how much you’re doing.

  • Check out mentally - scrolling your phone instead of hanging out with your family.

  • Avoid tough conversations because you’re too exhausted to deal with them.


And while you might think you’re hiding it, the people around you notice. Your kids sense your stress. Your coworkers feel your frustration and lack of trust. Your partner pulls away because they don’t know how to help.

Stress and anxiety don’t just affect you—they affect everyone you love.


The Quick Fixes That Keep You Stuck

When stress and anxiety feel too big to handle, it’s tempting to reach for quick fixes:

  • Working late to redo a project that was already fine.

  • Avoiding people or situations to keep the peace.

  • Grabbing junk food, a drink, or your phone for some cheap dopamine.


While these Band-Aid fixes might feel good in the moment, they only make things worse.

  • Overworking reinforces the idea that your worth is tied to how much you do.

  • Social media leaves you feeling left out or not good enough.

  • Avoidance creates more distance and misunderstandings in your relationships.


Why Coaching Is the Game-Changer

Sarah hit her breaking point and did something she'd never done before: she hired a coach. She knew she needed help to stop overworking, people-pleasing, and chasing perfection.

Through coaching, Sarah learned how to:

  • Pause and respond: She learned new strategies to approach situations with a calm body and mind so she could respond, instead of reacting out of stress.

  • Set boundaries: Sarah stopped saying yes to everything and started protecting her time and energy.

  • Communicate clearly: She learned to express her needs and wants without guilt, people-pleasing, or fear of being judged.

  • Let go of perfectionism: She realized that being present and authentic was more valuable than being perfect.


What Happens When You Manage Stress

The more Sarah began to practice managing her stress and anxiety, the more her relationships thrived.


At work, her team felt more connected and confident because she trusted them and communicated her needs.


At home, she felt closer to her husband and kids than she had in years. She could finally relax, laugh, and be present without her mind spinning in a million directions.


And most importantly?

Sarah felt like herself again. She reconnected with old friends, rediscovered hobbies she loved, and started looking forward to her days instead of dreading them.


What About You?

If you see yourself in Sarah’s story, what would change in your relationships if you knew how to feel calm, confident, and in control?


When you address the thoughts and feelings causing your stress and anxiety, everything shifts:

  • You’ll feel calmer, more connected, and more in control.

  • Your relationships thrive because you’ll have the energy and emotional bandwidth to show up fully.

  • You’ll finally have time to focus on yourself and the people you love.


What To Do Next

If you’re tired of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and disconnected, here's what to do next.



Through coaching I'll help you learn how to manage the stress and anxiety that’s been impacting your relationships and give you the tools to find the success and connection you've been wanting.


Imagine waking up feeling calm, confident, and excited about the day without the overwhelm.


It’s possible—and it starts with one decision.

Are you ready to feel amazing?


P.S. You can hear more about how anxiety hurts your relationships in episode 126 of the More Than Anxiety Podcast.

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