Feelings

Tips For A Healthy Relationship

Step 9: Feelings 

You don't need to open up right away and tell your deepest darkest secrets in the first stages of your relationship. After spending enough time with your partner, you should learn about them, their likes/dislikes, personality, quirks, strengths, weakness, inspirations etc. When you feel you know your significant other well enough and you feel confident that you can trust your partner, then you can start telling about the skeletons in your closet.

Telling the truth is always the best route to take. Be sure to mention that you're sorry, and really mean it if you are sorry for your mistake. Your partner should respect the fact that you told the truth. It may feel uncomfortable at first, especially telling truth that could possibly make your partner upset. But in the long run, it will be beneficial to you as a couple.

Leave time to just talk, talking about anything is good for your relationship. Some good conversation starters are aspirations, ideas, what you've been doing recently, or anything you find appropriate ("anything appropriate" varies from couple to couple). If you are in a serious relationship, talk about topics that you each have different opinions on. Hearing the other's side can help you grow as a couple and to see different points of view.

Understanding

Tips For A Healthy Relationship

Step 8: Understanding 

When you're able to correctly identify an emotion your partner is expressing, or to understand why he or she is feeling a certain way, you can respond to their needs more effectively.  For example, by offering support or talking through a concern they might have.Understanding your partner's perspective and feelings is especially critical during disagreement.

Another way to develop your understanding of your partner's emotions is regularly ask what they are feeling and why. This is especially valuable in situations where you aren't absolutely certain of the emotions your partner is feeling, or of why they are expressing particular emotions. Understanding your own feelings will make you much better at understanding your partner's feelings. 

Expressing emotions isn't easy. This may especially be the case if the situation deals with those "softer" underlying emotions.Your partner is more likely to be able to share how they're feeling when they have a general sense of trust that you will be there for them, and when you act in a caring and accepting way with them during the conversation.

Respect

Tips For A Healthy Relationship

Step 7: Respect

If you want to have a long and successful relationship, then you have to start with a baseline of mutual respect. You have to make sure that you see you and your partner as a team and that you’re considerate, honest, and compassionate as much as possible. However, nobody’s perfect, and you have to be prepared to apologize sincerely when you’re made a mistake. If both you and your partner are willing to put in the effort, then you can have a fulfilling and respectful relationship.

 If you want to respect your partner, then you have to be able to see yourselves as a true team together. You should think like a team in your mutual decisions and always think of your partner when you make individual decisions. You should think about you both striving toward goals that make both of you stronger instead of feeling like you have opposing needs and wants. If you truly look at yourselves as a unit, then you’ll be able to give your partner the respect that he deserves.

You can’t always be on the same page as your partner, and that’s perfectly fine. However, when differences do arise, it’s important that you discuss them respectfully. If you say something like, “That’s a stupid idea…” or, “I can’t believe you want to do that…” then this will make your partner feel angry and defensive and won’t lead to a productive conversation. Instead, take the time to listen to your partner and to be kind as he shares his opinion.

Peace

Tips For A Healthy Relationship

Step 6: Peace 

Laughter relaxes the whole body, boosts the immune system and releases endorphins. Laughter expert, Lesley Lyle, author of the book "Laugh Your Way To Happiness", says that smiling and laughing will make you feel better -even if it is forced!  So, even if you and your loved one are both having a hard day, try smiling and laughing for no reason at all. The physical act of laughing will make you happier and healthier.

Everyone has personal needs, whether it’s going to the gym after work or taking some alone time on Saturday morning. If someone asks you to do something and your instinct is to honor you own need, do that. I’m not saying you can’t make sacrifices sometimes, but it’s important to make a habit of taking cate of yourself.

When you feel unhappy with yourself, it’s easy to find something wrong in a relationship. If you blame another person for what you’re feeling, the solution is on them. But this is actually faulty logic. For starters, it gives them all the control. And secondly, it usually doesn’t solve the problem, since you didn’t actually address the root cause.

Happiness

Tips For A Healthy Relationship 

Step 5: Happiness 

The biggest difference between relationships that work and the ones that don't are the couples in the relationships that work, work on them. This keeps you from taking each other for granted.You have to be committed to making the relationship work, and part of that commitment means becoming a team player. 

One way to convey affection and respect is to confide in your partner. That doesn't mean that you need to share every single detail about your day, but if you have something important on your mind, bring it out into the open. It doesn't matter if your partner doesn't exactly share your interests -- he or she will still appreciate your enthusiasm and understand why it's important to you. Show your partner that you respect and appreciate him or her, both through words and actions.

There is an old  saying, “never go to bed angry”.  But  is half-past midnight really the time to discuss a problem? If you have a disagreement in the evening, do not discuss things if you are both tired. Set a time to talk the following day, say goodnight, and sleep on it. Things will be much clearer in the morning.

Patience

        
Tips For A Healthy Relationship

Step 4: Patience 


Patience is the ability to persevere and maintain composure in situations that necessitate understanding, entail a tolerance for delay, and incite emotional intensity. Patience is often referred to as a virtue or a habit, and practicing patience is an action. Therefore, patience is something that can be developed. Relationships present many circumstances that call for patience, and patience is necessary to having a healthy and functional relationship.

Take note of the emotional, physical and mental responses you are having so you can learn to recognize the ways in which you react to such challenges. Understanding how you react to things that challenge your patience is tantamount to coping with relationship challenges and learning to practice and employ patience.

When relationship issues that test your patience arise, mentally recite affirmations that you can and will be patient. For example, if you feel that you are getting impatient during a discussion with your spouse, you may say to yourself, "I am capable of practicing patience, and I will calm down and listen."

Love

Tips For A Healthy Relationship

Step 3: Love

Another important step to happiness in your relationship is love. You have to love your partner but most importantly yourself. If they can get pass your flaws and imperfections you should be able to too. Understand that no one’s perfect and that there trying. 

if you approach someone with compassion, you will open their hearts and minds. Show them you understand where they’re coming from, and they’ll be willing to see your side. That gives you a chance to express yourself and your expectations clearly. And when you let people know what you need at the right time in the right way, they’re more likely to give that to you.