Having a partner who adores you is one of the best things you can have in your life, but it takes work to keep your relationship healthy and strong
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True to the well-versed adage — “Two is better than one” — being in a relationship can be the best feeling in the world. Knowing there is someone to go home to, to hold hands with when feeling down, to share happiness and sorrow with, brings about a feeling of completion in the human life.
It is said that a married people live longer than single ones. However, keeping a relationship healthy and strong takes more than just giving expensive anniversary or birthday gifts. It requires work and attention to your partner’s words and actions.
It is inevitable that a couple will argue on ocassion. Here’s an overview of typical problems that couples in long-term relationships face:
1. Dry Patch
This is a common occurrence in the case of a married couple or pairs in a long-term relationship. There may be many reasons for this phenomenon: general stress, mismatched physical libido, a general lack of free time. Every couple is known to go through these dry patches. The trick to get out of it is not to disregard it as a trivial matter, but rather to find the source of the problem and then to act on it.
2. Unhealthy Habits
This is one of the prime concerns that may put in jeopardy the relationship of a happy couple. If one of the partners has a habit of smoking, alcohol consumption, or any other addiction, then it may affect the mental and physical health of that partner. When this is the case, it may be best to leave the habit for the sake of saving the relationship.
Research states that cigarette-smoking partners have more chance of divorcing than non-smokers. To avoid this, the non-smoking partner should try to support their companion by helping them find safer or healthier alternatives. In case of alcohol addiction, the person can consume cranberry juice or an appetizer as a healthy alternative. Similarly, instead of getting addicted to the tobacco in cigarettes, the person may explore alternatives to smoking, like e-cigarettes. These are fast becoming popular as a less harmful variation to traditional cigarette smoking as it has manageable amount of nicotine and zero tobacco in it.
3. Pangs of Jealousy
Either partner in a relationship can be jealous of another individual in their companion’s life. This feeling should not be kept hidden as it will only go on increasing the insecurity in the relationship.
The best approach is to talk and communicate openly with your partner.
Shared understanding can diffuse jealous emotions and pave the way for deeper connection. Of course, it’s recommended to keep the shouting and name-calling to a minimum.
4. Inattentiveness
An essential part of a successful relationship is meaningful and productive communication. You may be really busy with your work, but you also have a duty to make time to communicate with your partner and really listen.
On the other hand, if a person is really busy, then his or her partner should understand the other’s situation and support him or her in their time of need.
5. Money Management
This is another serious point on which many relationships get ended. When you are in a relationship, the need for WE becomes greater than ME — and that should be the approach you take with your finances. Spend your money on what you really need, not on what either of you wants. If you are combining finances, then you should make a budget and stick to the agreed upon allocation of money.
Scoffing and making deriding comments regarding the amount of money a partner makes or spends is never a good idea.
Money can be made again once lost, but relationships broken over money issues tend to stay broken.
Keeping Your Connection Healthy
The relationship a couple has can be very delicate and strong at the same time. It depends on whether the partners are ready to cultivate it properly. There are ways a relationship can stand the test of time, and the couple can enjoy a fulfilling and enriching experience. Here are two:
Do Couple Activities — There is nothing like going on activities together to ensure the bond between partners is strengthened over time. You don’t need to jog together, exercise together, or any such rigorous things (although they are also great bonding opportunities); you can even cook together, watch a movie, or read a book together to get to know your partner better.
Be Attentive — Nothing benefits a relationship better than communicating openly. Listen to each other’s feedback and act on the important ones. Couples in productive relationships do not avoid conflict, but they do refrain from letting it escalate unnecessarily or displaying excessive rage. Also, when you are spending time with your partner, keep your phone, tablets, and laptops far and away. Focus on each other instead.
All relationships require effort, but they can also be deeply gratifying. Being mindful and attentive and working on your bond will give you a foundation of communication and compassion for forging a lasting and fulfilling connection.
You may also enjoy reading Giving and Receiving Love: Releasing Negative Thoughts and Beliefs by Bridgitte Jackson-Buckley
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