“Every couple argues to a certain degree,” says Dr. Elana Hoffman, a licensed clinical psychologist in Washington, D.C. Don’t treat your partner as your pack mule, whether it’s asking them to carry your share of responsibilities, or using them as an outlet for emotional turmoil. If you’ve had a crap day, don’t just unleash your ire at them and leave them doing all the washing up. Strengthen your relationship through couples therapy you can participate in together or apart, at your convenience.
You might have heard of this tactic as the Benjamin Franklin Effect. In his autobiography, Franklin describes how he turned a hostile rival legislator into a good friend. He wrote to him, asking to borrow a rare book for a few days. When he returned it, he included a letter thanking him profusely. The next time they met, the man was much kinder to Franklin and even willing to help him in other things. But even if they don’t, the fact that you shared something with them will at least make them like you more.
“This fosters open communication and helps you understand each other’s needs without guessing.” Everyone makes mistakes and inadvertently hurts their partner. Dr. Coleman says, “It’s important to apologize and take responsibility for the hurt that you caused.” Those two simple words can go much further than you may realize. This approach may be difficult at first, but it is one of the most effective strategies to get over the hard patches and continue building a better relationship with your spouse. You or your partner might find it helpful to connect with a mental health professional who can help you manage these challenges. One-on-one counseling, relationship counseling, or a combination of both may be helpful, depending on your specific needs and preferences.
It’s almost as if life itself is inviting us to embrace difficulty—not as punishment but as a design feature. It is important to understand how a relationship evolves with time. Therefore, every happy relationship should start with a strong foundation, understanding, and communication. Marriage is successful when you can work as a unified team. You can’t expect your partner to be all of the things. One of the important tips on how to keep a relationship strong and happy is that we should never try to change our partner or expect them to become someone else.
This is what has kept our species alive for so long. The problem with this, however, is that if we don’t actively work to notice the positive things in our life (especially our partner), the negative will take over and consume us (and our relationship). Even if the dreams change, the process of dreaming together keeps you close. Noticing who your partner is—not just how they appear—creates deeper emotional intimacy. Find out what your partner’s love language is, and speak it.
This post is packed with therapist-approved, real-life ways to improve your relationship. A relationship doesn’t need constant celebrations to feel alive. Sometimes, all it needs is 60 seconds of undivided attention.
The tips mentioned above on how to keep a relationship strong and happy will help you maintain a thriving relationship. It is tempting to use whatever ammunition you’ve got in the heat of battle. A partner who will likely come to your side, or one who will ladatereview.com get even more defensive?
Over time, it becomes safer to say nothing than to say the wrong thing. Here’s a rundown of how couples therapy works, what you can expect, and the real ways it can improve your relationship. Relationships are often full of joy and new experiences. However, they can also be challenging, as they will always have to balance the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of two different people.