Saving your relationship

Maintaining a healthy relationship with your partner is important for your happiness and well-being. However, with so many marriages ending up in divorce, it has become clear that relationships are not always easy and require compromise.

While a positive and trusting partnership cannot be formed overnight, below is a guide to maintaining a normal and healthy relationship with your partner minus all the tears and drama:

Communicate

Open communication is the key to a normal relationship. It is crucial you talk about more than just whose turn it is to take out the trash or buy the groceries. Try to spend a few minutes talking to each other about your day so that you are able to connect with your partner at a deeper and personal level. Text him/her throughout the day or call your partner during your lunch break at home.

Couples tend to ignore each other after a disagreement. Understand that occasional arguments are perfectly fine, even in a healthy relationship but that does not mean you isolate yourself from the person you love because of your ego. No matter how awkward or irrational it feels, learn to be able to talk about your feelings.

Time Apart

Spending time together with your partner is just as important as spending time apart. You do not have to spend every hour of every day texting them or knowing where they are. Do not forget to care for and nurture yourself. Being able to do things on your own is vital for your independence. Take some time out to read a book or watch a movie on your own. Maintain healthy boundaries for a longer lasting relationship.

Avoid Comparisons

The grass is greener on the other side because someone else worked for it. There is no point of comparing your love life with your best friend or your co-worker. If you feel you and your partner do not spend much time together, make time instead of comparing yourself to others. If you are truly happy, you honestly wouldn’t care about how your friend got a larger diamond ring than you did.

Respect

Mutual respect is important for maintaining any kind of relationship. Respecting your partner comes in several forms. You must learn to respect their choices, character, time and trust. Disrespecting your partner by swearing, or name-calling by speaking negatively about their family and friends can hinder your relationship. Communication is important, but some things are better left unsaid, hence take time to cool down after a fight to avoid saying something rash.

Appreciation

Unfortunately, when we spend too much time with somebody, we start taking them and their efforts for granted. Do not hesitate in showing your partner how much you care about them or how lucky you are to have them. Show them they are special by expressing your love for them with words, an act of kindness or perhaps their favorite flowers. It is the thought that counts and besides, you should be grateful you have someone to lean on in difficult times.