Living Through Crisis: What It Means for Our Relationships

Crisis changes relationships — but it can also reveal paths to healing. Learn how chronic stress, trust, and vulnerability shape how we relate to ourselves and others.

More than ever, crisis feels ubiquitous. Every day, news reports bring tragedies, policy changes that hurt communities, or unsettling signs about the future of our country and world. If you feel overwhelmed by this, you’re not alone.

Many people talk about muddling through the stress of adulthood compounded by the state of the world. Yet, these conversations often stop short of building real community or solidarity over that shared stress. Sometimes, even when we talk with others, it can feel like we’re all screaming for help from our own isolated “dark boxes.”

This is just one example of how living through crisis — whether political, ecological, or personal — changes our relationships.

What is Crisis?

Often, people don’t recognize the crises they are experiencing because crisis has become so common. There are two types of stress to consider: acute stress and chronic stress.

Acute stress is the sudden, obvious kind of crisis. For example, after a natural disaster, you may need to find a new home, replace belongings, and recover emotionally. This immediate upheaval is what we typically think of as a crisis.

Chronic stress, on the other hand, is the ongoing tension that forms the backdrop of our daily lives. Before the disaster, maybe you worried about job security, cared for a sick family member, or managed tense relationships. Chronic stress can be more subtle and harder to notice, but it accumulates over time.

Acute vs. Chronic Stress: The “Window of Tolerance”

Each of us has a “window of tolerance” — an internal range where we can handle stress and stay regulated. A single chronic stressor may not push us past this window, but every added “drop in the bucket” increases our risk of feeling overwhelmed.

Eventually, these accumulated stresses can leave us depleted and struggling to cope, sometimes without even realizing why.

How Crisis Impacts Relationships

When we’re moving through life not at our full capacity, our relationships often suffer. Whether it’s with our children, families, friends, communities, or even ourselves, many of us struggle to show up fully.

Crises also impact our ability to trust — in ourselves, in others, and in the world. Have you ever been through something difficult and held back your feelings, afraid to reach out? Doubting your own ability to cope?

Stress ripples beyond the crisis event, disrupting other areas of life that might otherwise support us. In this way, the legacy of crisis often lasts far beyond the crisis itself, pushing us away from the people and things that could be our lifelines.

Rebuilding Trust and Vulnerability

Restoring relationships after crisis means restoring trust and vulnerability — with others, with ourselves, and even with life itself. Sometimes, our past experiences have discouraged vulnerability, making it feel impossible or unsafe. But vulnerability and trust are not destinations to reach; they are ongoing practices. By gradually extending trust to those we want to invite closer, we can begin rebuilding relationships in ways that meet our needs.

Crisis, whether sudden or ongoing, reshapes how we relate to ourselves and others. Understanding the difference between acute and chronic stress can help us recognize why we might feel overwhelmed. Though these challenges strain relationships, rebuilding trust and vulnerability can restore connection and healing over time.

Ready to rebuild trust — starting with yourself?

If you're exploring how to reconnect with others, deepen your self-trust, or gently expand your capacity for vulnerability, you're not alone. Our therapists are here to support you in that ongoing practice. Explore our team and request a free 15-minute consultation.

And if you're looking for additional tools, check out our resource list.