Being in a relationship is not always rainbows and butterflies, especially once the honeymoon period passes. While it’s easy to believe that love is all a relationship needs to stay healthy, maintaining happy and meaningful connections with your loved ones actually requires substantial time and effort from both parties in the relationship.
Building trust in a relationship requires more than just love and attending an intensive workshop is often the best course of action for many couples. In this article, we will share valuable advice from relationship coaches on maintaining healthier relationships even in the face of serious challenges such as infidelity from your partner or trying to rekindle the magic after taking a relationship break. Read on!
How do you keep a relationship strong and healthy?
If you wish your relationship to work, you need to be ready to put in some work. A healthy relationship takes commitment and courage, no matter what the movies may tell you. Often, a healthy relationship can even seem boring to some people, precisely because we’re constantly bombarded with the idea of young couples who are madly in love with each other but don’t actually experience real struggles in their relationship.
Qualities of a healthy relationship
While no two relationships are the same, there are certain qualities that all happy relationships have in common. The following characteristics are typical of healthy relationships:
- You and your partner don’t shy away from necessary conflict. Occasional disagreement is perfectly normal in any relationship. While you may be inclined to avoid conflict, you should know that being able to have a healthy argument is key to maintaining a healthy connection with your partner.
- You are able to communicate honestly and openly. Communication is the cornerstone of a happy relationship. You and your partner should be comfortable expressing your thoughts and needs to each other without fear or embarrassment.
- You have a deep and lasting connection. A relationship can’t be truly healthy without emotional intimacy. A lack of emotional connection and trust can create distance and easily result in you and your partner drifting apart.
- You have your own life but also have common interests. You can’t expect your partner to meet your every need. Instead, you should both have your unique interests and personalities, as well as maintain healthy connections with people outside of the relationship too.
Are words important in a relationship?
While saying “I love you” a million times per day won’t actually make a relationship healthy, words definitely have a considerable power to change the way we relate to the ones we love. How you communicate with your partner in private and in public can have a significant impact on your relationship.
For instance, choosing kind words when speaking with your partner will make them feel appreciated and loved, while adopting a harsh communication style may subconsciously decrease their self-esteem and create resentment. In general, compliments, positive and reassuring language, and a calm demeanor in arguments have the power to strengthen and deepen the emotional connection you have with your partner.
What are the three C’s in a healthy relationship?
Creating and maintaining lasting relationships requires much more than just love. In fact, sustaining a healthy relationship is much more difficult than many people seem to believe. Luckily, there is a way to simplify what a relationship needs to thrive. Here are the three C’s that can help you make your relationship last.
Communication
This one is a no-brainer. Unless you and your partner are able to communicate openly and honestly about your needs, fears, and thoughts, you can’t expect the relationship to remain healthy for too long. Instead of sweeping problems under the rug, you should be comfortable with raising difficult topics without anger and drama.
Compromise
You and your partner are two individuals with different values, needs, and personalities. If you are able to accept your differences and find common ground, both of you will feel understood and appreciated. Being able to compromise is a must if you wish to keep your relationship strong and healthy.
Commitment
All lasting relationships are built on one thing – genuine and ongoing commitment. This means that both you and your partner should be willing to give and persist through challenges if you wish for the relationship to work. Building trust and deepening emotional intimacy takes time but is absolutely necessary for any healthy relationship.
How do you maintain love in a relationship?
If you’ve been experiencing difficulties in your relationship, you are probably looking for a way to rekindle the flame and bring back the magic. Here are some tips for improving and maintaining the connection with your partner:
- Small gestures of love can go a long way.
Show your partner that you care, whether with words or other acts of kindness. You’d be surprised at how much showing that you care can benefit your relationship.
- Speak your mind.
Share your thoughts with your partner regularly, making sure to let them know how you feel about the relationship and how much they matter to you. This also applies to conflicts – if you feel upset about something, let your partner know.
- Make your partner feel special.
We all want to feel loved and cherished, and so does your partner. Don’t expect them to always know how much you love them. Instead, go out of your way to show them how important they are in your life.
- Be there for your partner in times of need.
Just as you should feel comfortable confiding in your partner, they should also know that you would be there to comfort them and listen to what they have to say.
- Have fun together.
Sharing new experiences and simply enjoying life together can do wonders for rekindling the spark in your relationship. Even if it’s as simple as watching a movie together, it will help create a deeper bond between the two of you.
Revive your relationship at our couples retreat & relationship workshop
Sometimes, seeking help from professional relationship coaches is the best course to take if you feel like your relationship needs a little push. At PIVOT, we work with couples and individuals who want to create and maintain meaningful relationships in their life.
Why not start improving your relationships today? You can do so either by attending our high-impact relationship workshops or exploring your relational wounds through our intensive coaching sessions for individuals and couples. Contact us today!
