Tips For Building a Happy and Healthy Relationship
Building a happy and healthy relationship requires effort, commitment, and continuous growth. Whether you're in a new relationship or aiming to strengthen an existing one, here are 7 tips to help you lay the foundation for a fulfilling and enduring connection with your partner.
7 Tips For Building a Happy and Healthy Relationship
1) Learn To Communicate Effectively With One Another
One of the hardest parts of any relationship is learning how to communicate in a way that’s effective. What often happens is that we end up assuming our partner automatically knows what we want or need without actually telling them. However, the reality is that effective communication requires effort, intention, and…practice!
Your partner can’t read your mind and you can’t expect them to. That’s why it’s crucial to develop habits that create space for you and your partner's feelings, thoughts, and perspectives to be communicated openly.
Some ways to improve communication with your partner include:
Using ‘I’ statements when expressing how you feel
Setting aside dedicated time to talk each day or week
Showing your partner you’re listening through body language, eye contact, and follow up questions
Focusing on understanding your partner’s perspective and why they think the way that they do rather than on who is “right” or “wrong”
2) Set Aside Time To Spend Together
Between the chaos of work, family, and other responsibilities, it’s easy to let quality time with our partner get put on the back burner. To ensure this doesn’t happen, set aside dedicated time each week to be fully present with each other. Put away phones or any other distractions and engage in activities you both enjoy, whether it’s cooking, walking, or simply cuddling on the couch.
Spending quality time together gives you the opportunity to nurture and deepen your emotional connection.
3) Express Appreciation and Gratitude For Your Partner
The more we spend time with someone, the more we tend to expect or get used to the things they do for us. Make sure you don’t let your partner's efforts go unnoticed by continuing to express your appreciation and gratitude for all they do no matter how small or simple something might be.
Some ways you can express appreciation for your partner include:
Saying “thank you” and telling them you are grateful for them
Leaving them a note sharing your appreciation
Surprising them with a thoughtful gift or gesture
4) Support Each Other's Goals
A strong relationship involves two individuals who cheer each other on to become the best versions of themselves. Some ways you can show your partner that you support them in their goals include:
Offering words of encouragement
Celebrating their successes (no matter how big or how small)
Listening attentively when they talk about their goals and dreams
Helping them stay accountable by offering gentle reminders
5) Respect Each Other's Individuality
While it’s crucial to be supportive of one another, it’s equally important to respect each other’s autonomy. Healthy relationships are built on the foundation of two whole individuals coming together, not two halves making a whole.
Be sure to respect your partner's individuality by allowing them the space and freedom to pursue their passions, interests, and personal growth. When you and your partner are both content and fulfilled within yourself, you will be able to bring more positivity and enthusiasm into the relationship.
6) Keep the Spark Alive
Throughout any long-term relationship it’s completely natural for the initial intensity and excitement to fade over time. But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean the spark is gone. There are many ways to rekindle the spark in your relationship even after the honeymoon phase has passed.
A few ways include:
Focusing on building emotional intimacy and connection
Regularly expressing appreciation and gratitude for each other
Surprising each other with thoughtful gestures
Mixing things up in the bedroom
Rediscovering interests or hobbies you used to enjoy together
7) Try Couples Therapy
Couples therapy is not just a “last resort” for couples who are at their breaking point. It is also a great way to create open and honest dialogue, learn healthy communication skills, increase intimacy and foster an overall deeper understanding of each other.
Couples Therapy In Kansas and Missouri
To get started building a healthier and happier relationship with your partner, schedule an appointment by calling 913.735.9226 or emailing me at shannon@newnarrativetherapy.org
