In our day-to-day lives, work, school, and other stressors can make
it hard to maintain a strong relationship like when they first started.
It can be a struggle to get a relationship back in the place that you
want it to be. “Well, it seems to me that the best relationships – the
ones that last – are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship.”
– Gillian Anderson But like Nicholas Sparks mentioned, “Every couple
needs to argue now and then. Just to prove that the relationship is
strong enough to survive. Long-term relationships, the ones that matter,
are all about weathering the peaks and the valleys.” Luckily, there are
plenty of things that can help strengthen a relationship and keep the
feeling of love steady and strong. It’s the little things that really
help build up a relationship. Sure, you need the strong foundations to
start off with, but the smaller things help build up a relationship and
keep it strong.
1. Check Up On Each Other
When you both make it a habit to check in on one another, it can
really help strengthen the feeling of love between you. Couples who call
one another after a long day at work to see how they’re feeling, or
send a text to make sure that they made it home okay after a long
journey, will have a better connection and feel taken care of by one
another. It’s such a small thing, but it can really make a world of
difference.
Source2. Laughing Together
A couple who can share a sense of humor and laugh together will form
all kinds of emotional bonds that can help keep the relationship running
strong. Psychologist Doris Bazzini, Ph.D. says, “Laughter reminiscence
packs an additional punch because people relive the moment by laughing
again.” Whether you decide to sit down with a funny movie, or just an
evening of watching funny YouTube videos, laughing together is
important. Once a couple laughs together, their brains will be wired to
associate each other with happiness and laughter.
Source3. Sharing Is Caring
Whether it’s just your feelings, or emotional and traumatic things
from your past, learning to share with your partner can make your
relationship that much stronger. Couples who feel as if they can tell
one another anything will have a stronger relationship than couples who
are afraid to be vulnerable with one another. Strength comes from being
able to trust one another, and couples who can share will have a strong
and lasting relationship.
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4. Good Listening Skills
Everyone wants to feel heard when they talk, so having good listening
skills is important in any relationship. Everyone should be able to
listen openly when their partner speaks. Letting your partner know that
you’re listening to their feelings, fears or concerns will help make it
easier for them to trust you. With trust, comes strength in any
relationship. Couples who are good at listening to one another will have
a lasting, strong relationship.
Source5. Honesty Is The Best Policy
Being completely honest will help keep the relationship strong, even
if it’s not something that your partner wants to hear. Couples who are
able, to be honest about how they’re feeling, what they’re thinking and
their opinions on certain topics are able to keep their relationship
strong despite all of it. “What honesty gives you is a great deal of
comfort. Knowing you can implicitly trust your mate allows you to be
your best self, and your relationship will continue to thrive because
you are able to give each other the positive energy you need to navigate
life’s ups and downs,” says psychotherapist, syndicated columnist, and
radio host Barton Goldsmith Ph.D. It’s important to be able to trust
that your partner is going to be honest with you, no matter what.
Source6. Giving In To Impulse
Being spontaneous helps make sure that the relationship doesn’t fall
into a rut. If you want to get in the car and take a vacation one town
over for the weekend, do it! If you want to make random plans, follow
through! “Over time, it’s inevitable that life falls into a pattern of
routine and “same old, same old.” It’s easy to fall into behaviors that
are reliable, steady, and boring as well. So it’s important to change it
up from time to time to alter our thinking, provide a new perspective,
and create interest and excitement,” says psychiatrist Abigail Brenner
M.D. Couples will have a strengthened relationship when they’re able to
go with the flow and give in to their impulses.
