Think about the familiar idea of the "last straw." The final event may be relatively minor, but it isn't happening in isolation. You may already be carrying stress from work, parenting, finances, relationships, health concerns, or a lack of time for yourself. The stress that you experience can pretty easily build up over the course of a day or a week.

Most couples know that stress can make life harder. What isn't always obvious is how much stress can change the way we communicate with the person we love. When life feels manageable, a disagreement with your partner may be something you can talk through. You can listen, explain yourself, compromise, and move on.

You're the person people can count on, and you’re exhausted. Your family needs something, you handle it. Your partner is having a difficult day, you listen. Your kids need you, you show up. At work, you're the dependable one. When someone has a problem, you're often the person they call.