Ask your partner something new about themselves. Even if you’ve been together for a decade, people evolve. Real listening means putting your phone down, turning your body toward your partner, and showing them they have your full attention. Expressing your needs is healthy; expressing them like you’re auditioning for Real Housewives of Chaos is not. Learn to communicate your needs clearly instead of expecting mind reading or passive-aggressive sighs. That means using your words—actual words—not just dramatic huffs and door slams.
- A good medical professional will understand that bringing up the topic feels vulnerable.
- Set aside time with your partner to invite intimacy and embrace it in whatever form takes shape.
- In a healthy romantic relationship, you ultimately feel like yourself with your beloved.
- After 3 months, acquaintances may continue to accumulate hours together, but this time does not appear to increase the chance of becoming casual friends.
What’s more, if you and a stranger find out you both don’t like someone, you’ll feel much closer to the stranger than if you found out you shared a positive opinion. Fighting fairly means that you maintain respect for one another and keep the focus on the issue, not on one another. When we feel upset, it can be hard to express ourselves without attacking our partner but this is crucial to maintaining a healthy relationship. Gottman found that there are 4 behaviors that are destructive to love including criticism, defensiveness, contempt and stonewalling. Becoming critical (or contemptuous) of our partner when we are upset is not fighting fairly. We must keep the focus on ourselves and share what we are feeling and what we need without attacking our partner.
Quitting Drinking Without Being Miserable – Anya’s Story
“I recommend that my clients practice active listening to their partners to do this,” says Anjula Mutanda, a couples therapist. A study conducted by Faye Doell identified two different types of listening, ‘listening to understand’ and ‘listening to respond’. According to her findings, those who “listen to understand” have greater satisfaction in their relationships. Psychologist Dr. John Gottman places a lot of importance on reunions for couples. He suggests that when you see your partner at the end of the day, share a hug and a kiss that lasts at least six seconds followed by a conversation about your day.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate cardio per week, plus two days of strength training and some exercise that can improve mobility and flexibility, like yoga or Pilates. Also, incorporate more non-exercise movement into your day—like walking and chores—to stay continuously active. That’s better than one intense hour at the gym followed by 12 hours of being sedentary, says Dr. Fein. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines. Any position that feels comfortable (pain-free) and enjoyable for you and your partner is a good one.
Find Mild Negative Or Strong Positive Opinions In Common
If you’re looking to make changes in your sex life, there are things you can do. Try experimenting with your partner — or on your own — to find new ways of being intimate. Tools like pillows, positioners, or even sex toys can also be an enjoyable way to explore. Erectile dysfunction is more than three times as common in men with diabetes compared to those without it.
Express Gratitude Daily
“My advice is to set aside 10 minutes a day to talk together about anything under the sun except kids, work, household tasks, or your relationship! You can talk about sports, movies, articles you’ve read, where you would like to travel to if you won the lottery, or what superhero power you wish you had. The point is you’re making room to get to know your partner again,” she says. Use these three tips to create experiences that help you get closer to someone as a friend or partner. The second part of the study has great news for all the busy folks out there.
It’s not always easy, because I enjoy being right, but listening and compromising will make your relationship stronger. Some of the best moments I’ve had with people are when we laugh so hard we start to cry. Sharing jokes, funny moments, and playful memories keeps your relationship fun and lighthearted. Having fun together can help you stay connected and remind you why you fell in love in the first place. When your partner upsets or irritates you, it’s important to discuss this immediately and work through it together. Kimberly Panganiban is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with a private practice in San Diego, CA.
Here are key insights on mending and enriching relationships. Discover practical tips on rebuilding connections, enhancing communication, and strengthening your bond with your partner through these frequently asked questions. It’s important to open up and communicate with your partner. This will help you build trust and understanding between the both of you. If you’re having problems communicating, it’s a good idea to try meeting face-to-face and having a conversation where you both get to talk. Establishing common objectives with your partner can deepen your connection and provide a sense of shared purpose.
Being emotionally open—even when it feels silly—fosters closeness and emotional safety. But “You were so patient with your mom today” hits harder. Compliment their actions, effort, or emotional intelligence.
One way this can be achieved is by taking turns being the Speaker and the Listener. This will give you both time to share and will allow you both to have a turn practicing your active listening skills. Once you both feel heard and understood, you can move into compromise from a place of teamwork. If people do not feel heard, they get stuck in the conversation and will have difficulty moving forward.
You can understand where your partner is coming from and what they are feeling without agreeing. How we communicate with our partner greatly determines the course of Best Dates our relationship. Healthy communication skills are a necessity to a happy, stable and loving relationship.