12 Easy Tips for a Blissful Relationship

12 Easy Tips for a Blissful Relationship

12/2/11

Relationships are hard work without a doubt. If you’ve been together with your spouse or partner for a while, I’m sure you’ve asked yourself the question, “How can we make this relationship work better?”

Here are 12 tried-and-true tips for having a happy, healthy relationship:

1. Mind your manners. “Please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome,” can go a long way. It’s important to show your partner that you respect and love them. Don’t take your partner for granted because if you do, it can lead to deep-rooted resentment, which could ultimately break up the relationship.

2. Variety is the spice of life. Research studies have shown that dullness in a relationship can lead to dissatisfaction. Try something new with your partner. Engage in new experiences together. Trying new things with your spouse or partner will keep you feeling close.

3. The couple that plays together, stays together. While it’s important to have separate hobbies and be independent, it’s also equally as important to find a sport or hobby that you both love and enjoy doing together. This should be a top priority in your relationship.

4. Fight right. It can be easy to lose your head in a fight but make sure you follow these rules: 1. Don’t call your spouse names. 2. If things are getting really heated, take a break from the argument. 3. Let the other person finish his/her sentences before you say something. 4. Don’t start a discussion when you’re already angry to begin with. Wait until you’ve cooled down first.

5. I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine. No one likes being told what to do. A compromise is a much better solution to get your partner to do something. Give them a sweet deal for doing something they don’t want to do! For example: “I’ll do the dishes if you’ll take out the trash.”

6. Two heads are better than one. Being in a marriage or relationship means your partner’s problems tend to also be your problems. Instead of viewing your partner’s problems as their own, help them find a resolution to their problems together. For example: If your partner has gained weight, instead of pushing them to diet and work out on their own, take on an exercise and diet plan together.

7. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Have your own life in addition to the life you share with your partner. Have your own friendships, hobbies, and occasionally a night without your partner. Doing things separately not only keeps the sanity in the relationship but it also makes you miss your partner. Also, in case the relationship doesn’t work out, you still have your friends.

8. Communicate! Communication is key to having a successful, healthy relationship. If you are in a long-term relationship or marriage, it’s important to be on the same page about money, religion, fidelity, children, and other important topics. Just like you aren’t a mind reader, neither is your partner. Communicate with them to have a great relationship.

9. Laughter is the best medicine. It’s important to be able to laugh at yourself and silly mistakes. Don’t take life so seriously. Is the world going to end if your partner accidentally washes and dries your dry clean only dress? No, so why are you acting like it is?

10. Keep your eyes on the prize. Yes, your partner has once again forgotten the name of your colleague but it more than likely doesn’t mean that he doesn’t care about you. Don’t take every minor annoyance as a sign that your partner doesn’t care. Take it with a grain of salt and remember that the goal is to have a happy, healthy relationship.

11. Quitters never win. Find a relationship ritual and stick with it. It might be that you two always kiss before you leave, renew your wedding vows every year, commit to having sex twice a week, or something else you really enjoy about your relationship. Pick something that makes you both feel good and stick with it.

12. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going… to therapy. Research studies have shown that counseling can be a very positive thing in resolving issues when a couple is having a hard time working past things in their relationship. Whether it is your pastor, another religious figure, counselor, therapist, or mental health professional, getting an expert’s advice is very helpful and sorting out issues.

XO,
Allie