I caught the flu right after Christmas.

To make matters worse, I spread it to my two-year-old son despite my efforts to limit close contact. He ended up with otitis media, and I ended up forgetting about the rest of the world.

My husband was our support system. Although it took us more than two weeks to recover, he didn’t leave my side. His presence was evident, but our temporary disconnection was inevitable.

Life was tough for a few weeks. Our new year started with chaos, bad health, and worry. A simple shift in priorities made us feel as if we were drifting apart. But, in reality, we were not. We were merely tired, sleepless, and anxious. We were both seeking connection and hoping to reconnect as soon as life gets easier again.

And it did get easier.

And we did reconnect. However, to maintain that connection during tough times, we had to make a conscious effort to keep our relationship (slightly) alive even when prioritizing pressing tasks.

If you ever had to prioritize urgent matters over relational needs, you may know how hard it is to not feel like strangers when life gets in the way. Staying close to your partner when you are emotionally and physically exhausted is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do.

But small things matter. Believe it or not, your relationship can survive the hardest storms if you are willing to take a few small steps and make a few small changes every day.

Here are four ways to stay connected when life gets hard or busy:

1. Touch each other—whenever you can. It could be a hug, a back rub, or a kiss on the forehead. It could last for five minutes or a few seconds. It could happen on the couch, in the kitchen, or the hallway. Touching each other when life is hard (or busy) fosters a sense of security and belonging. It’s a small act with a deep message that tells us we are seen.

2. Find time for emotional talks. You may find it hard to find a calm moment to share feelings, but when you do, make sure to keep it short, simple, and without expectations. Check in with your partner and ask open-ended questions about your difficult experience. The goal is to stay connected, listen without judgement, and ensure you’re both supporting and understanding each other.

3. Say affectionate phrases. When life is tough, words of affirmation from the person you love the most can make you feel powerful and worthy. They’re valuable and offer undeniable comfort. Things like “I love you,” “You’re doing great,” “I’m proud of you,” “I miss you,” or “We’re in this together” have the power to uplift you and strengthen your bond.

4. Assure each other that it will pass. When we’re in the middle of a challenging situation, it may be hard to believe that it will eventually improve. So remind each other that it’s all temporary and you will soon celebrate the ending of a bad season. When things get better, your connection will flourish again fully and beautifully.

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