Relate has come up with their top five secrets to a healthy relationship, so we take a look at each one- can you tick all five boxes? Finding love is not the hardest part of a relationship it's sustaining it that's even more challenging.
Do you have all five ingredients?
Communication- Finding opportunities to talk is important in any relationship, if it's at dinner, in the car or lying in bed next to one another. Even in front of the TV- if one of you needs to offload- the box needs to go off or be muted. Neither of you can read minds- in which case you need to tell your loved how you are feeling and/or what has happened in your day. If you disagree on something you need to find ways of communicating your side of the tory as well as listening to your partner's. It brings you closer together but is also the main tool for resolving arguments.
Intimacy- It is easy to put sex on the back burner because you are both stressed, one or both of you is tired or your favourite TV show is on. Couples should strive to have a mutually satisfying sex life to make them stronger which is only achieved by making time for one another.
Honesty- With openness comes trust- if your partner is always honest- there is not room for distrust. Little white lies now and then that stop your partner from feeling hurt is not so bad- but lying about anything big should be out of bounds.
Acceptance- Accepting that you are your own person is key to a successful relationship. Differences are essential to give you both grounds for conversation and keep things fresh- you might also learn a thing or two by opening your mid to another person's opinion or the way they approach a particular situation.
Laughter- Having a giggle with your lover can diffuse any tensions you might have going on. Sometimes laughter can be the thing that couples find most attractive about each other in the early stages of dating. Even in times when it seems the most inappropriate it can be the best medicine.
tagged in Couples