Whether your relationship is strained because of distance, a negative work-life balance, or you’re just not on the same page, stress on both parties can make it feel like your efforts to make it work aren’t even worth it.

But if you are invested in your relationship and are committed to removing some of the stressful factors that are coming between you and your significant other, then there’s nothing to stand in the way of your happiness.

Help yourself first.

It’s not selfish to put your own mental health and wellbeing above anyone else’s. This isn’t to say that you should neglect the feelings of your partner, but you won’t be able to give your relationship your all until you are happy and satisfied with where you are at in your own life.

Keep work and home separate.

It’s a simple enough concept: keep work-related stress at work and home-related stress at home; but it’s much easier said than done. A good way to make sure work doesn’t interfere with happiness at home is to unplug after hours. No checking emails, no making work calls, and, better yet, no computer at all. If you do a lot of work from home regularly, make sure you have a dedicated space in your house for work alone, and that it doesn’t creep into other areas like the kitchen, family room, or bedroom.

Communicate, but not negatively.

Your partner is going to do something that frustrates you, and vice versa. People butt heads, no matter how much they love each other, but problems arise when that negative communication starts to overshadow positivity. When your partner does something that bothers you, express to them why the behavior upset you, and what they can do differently next time.

Remove clutter from common areas.

One of the biggest points of stress for couples living together is clutter in the home. It can bring about feelings of anxiety and entrapment that can easily be removed just by removing the stuff. Common areas like the bedroom and kitchen are main points for concern, but you might also benefit from a good cleaning in the bathrooms and living room, as well.

No matter what kind of stress you’re experiencing in your relationship, there is a way to remove it and begin healing. Identify your stressors, and take the necessary steps to making your relationship healthier and stronger.