Five ways to create household harmony during lockdown

As the nation grapples with public lockdown, the reality of all living under the same roof has taken on a whole new meaning. Cohabiting families, couples, and housemates across the country will be seeing rather more of each other for the foreseeable future, putting those relationships under unprecedented pressure. Fortunately, there are ways to manage the stresses and strains of being cooped up together for so long. Dr Angela Rowe, a social psychologist at the University of Bristol , has dedicated her research to understanding how we behave towards our nearest and dearest, especially in tough times. Her tips and advice can help keep your relationships happy and harmonious despite the trying circumstances. It's good to talk..honest! "Having regular discussions about different family member's evolving wants and needs, as well as plans for joint activities,is really important so try to establish an open dialogue from the outset. It's good to be business-like in your approach, for instance arranging a weekly meeting with an agenda, to ensure the conversations happen collectively rather than behind peoples' backs," said Dr Rowe, Reader in Social Cognitive Psychology at the School of Psychological Science.