Happily Ever After Takes Hard Work: 7 Relationship Tips for Success
Keeping a relationship together takes more than just saying “I do.”
It takes a lot of hard work and a commitment by both partners to invest the time and energy to maintain it. If you are trying to think of ways to keep your relationship healthy, consider these relationship tips.
Relationship Tip #1: Be a Good Listener
Being able to listen to your partner attentively and actively shows that you care and are interested in what is going on. Listening is a skill that can take a lifetime to perfect. However, if you think that you need more immediate help, consider talking to a professional who assists with improving your listening skills.
Relationship Tip #2: Say “I’m Sorry”
Ever known someone who could never admit that they had made a mistake? Do you remember how frustrating it was to be with that person? Owning up to and taking ownership of your mistakes is more than simply an apology. It shows your partner that you are mature and willing to be accountable for your actions.
Relationship Tip #3: Schedule Time Together
In our world of always on the go, it can seem impossible to find enough quality time to spend with your partner. However, being able to have alone time is important for both of you to communicate without distraction. Try to budget 30 minutes into your day where you and your partner can be together. Some ideas include:
- Cooking a meal together.
- Walking the family pet.
- Sitting together after watching the evening news.
- Drinking coffee together in the morning.
By having this one-on-one time, you and your partner can not only catch up on the day’s events, but also discuss issues that are important to you as a couple.
Relationship Tip #4: Schedule Time Apart From Each Other
Just as it is important to spend time together, it can also be helpful to have activities that you each enjoy separately. For example:
- Participating in a volunteer organization.
- Playing a sport, either individually or in a recreational league.
- Having a hobby, whether it’s building models, gardening, woodworking, etc.
Relationship Tip #5: Have an Adventure Together
Want to visit a new place or try a new sport? Why not have an adventure together? When you adventure as a couple you not only have fun, but you have an experience that binds you closer as a couple and provides a shared memory. Don’t have the time or money to go to Thailand or Alaska? Why not look for adventure in your own backyard? For instance:
- Visit local hiking trails or parks in your area.
- Take a Saturday drive off the beaten path.
- Attend a concert, play, musical, or other cultural event.
- Try a new restaurant.
- Take a lesson together or attend a workshop.
Relationship Tip #6: Show That You Care
You don’t have to do something big to show your partner that you care. Little acts of kindness can go a long way. They don’t have to be expensive or even cost anything at all. One website, tinybuddha.com, has 50 ideas for showing that you care without having to spend money.
Relationship Tip #7: Laugh Together
There is actual proof that laughter can be important for a long-lasting relationship. Laura Kurtz of the University of North Carolina, discusses in Time Magazine about her research on the subject. She notes that:
- There is a connection between laughter and the quality of relationships.
- There is also a connection between laughter and the closeness two people feel towards each other.
- Laughter can bring you and your partner closer as a couple.
Starting a relationship is easy, but being able to keep and maintain a relationship can take a lot of work. Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone! You have a partner with whom you can implement these relationship tips, and together create a solid relationship that lasts a lifetime. To read more about creating a healthy relationship, navigate to Phil Fauerbach’s couples counseling page.
If you recognize that any of these tips are missing in your relationship and/or you would like assistance in strengthening your relationship, please call Philip J Fauerbach, LMHC and schedule an appointment at (813) 651-1221.
