It has been shown that successful relationships enhance our satisfaction, improve health and reduce stress. Studies show that there are more satisfaction and less tension among people with stable relationships. Even though each relationship is different, there are simple ways to keep relationships safe. These tips refer to all forms of relationships: friendships, relationships with work and family, and romantic partnerships.
1. Do the stuff you did while you were dating for the first year
We prefer to slink into our proverbial sweatpants and get lazy in our relationship as the months and years roll by. We lose our composure, our gentleness, our consideration, our empathy, and the overall effort we once made toward our friend. Think back to your relationship in the first year and write down all the stuff you used to do with your girlfriend. Start doing them again right now.
2. Ask for what you’d want
We believe, over time, our partner knows us so well that we don’t have to ask for what we want. When we make this statement, what happens? Expectations are set, and they get deflated just as easily. Such unmet expectations will leave us questioning the viability of our partnership and relationship.
3. Become a partner expert
Think, both physically and mentally, about who your mate really is and what excites them. As compared to tuning in to what really resonates with them, we can become obsessed with what we think they want. Know that it doesn’t have to make sense to you if it’s important to your partner. You’ve just got to do it.
4. Ask questions beyond just “How was your day?”
We prefer to mentally check out our lives and, consequently, our bond at the end of a long day. We depend on the typical question, “How was your day?” But because we hear that question so much, many of us will only react reflexively with the bare minimum: “Fine. How was yours?” This doesn’t do much to strengthen your relationship and can actually hurt it because you miss the chance to communicate in a small way on a regular basis.
5. Establish a weekly routine for one another to check-in
It can be short or long, but it starts by telling each other what worked and did not work in the previous week and what can be done this coming week to change things. In addition, take this chance to get on the same page about your schedules, plan a date night, and chat about what you would like to see happen in your relationship in the coming days, weeks, and months. Unmet needs and resentments will develop without a deliberate appointment to do a temperature check.