Tips To A Strong Relationship

A healthy relationship can be achieved by gaining a better understanding of valuing what is important to each other. Everyone’s relationship is unique, and people come together for many different reasons. But there are some things that good relationships have in common. Knowing the basic principles of healthy relationships helps keep them meaningful, fulfilling and exciting in both happy times and sad, which empowers you to have a more successful marriage. Healthy relationships are about building each other up, not putting each other down.

Trusting your partner is be necessary for a healthy relationship, but in the beginning trust is not automatic – it has to be earned. It is important to remember that trust is hard to earn but easy to destroy. Think about how you treat (and want to be treated by) someone you care about.

Appreciating your spouse goes a long way in a relationship because, in the midst of an argument it can be difficult to find something to appreciate. Start by generating appreciation in moments of non-stress, and that way when you need to be able to do it during a stressful conversation, it will be easier.

Right after a misunderstanding or argument, try and think of something special 

about your each other, your partners qualities and some good moments and places you've both been together, admit your mistakes and say i am sorry. This will make your relationship stronger and help strengthen the love between you and your spouse. A strong and healthy relationship can be one of the best supports in your life. Good relationships improve all aspects of your life, strengthening your health, your mind, and your connections with others. However, if the relationship isn't working, it can also be a tremendous drain. Relationships are an investment. The more you put in, the more you can get back. People who are in deep, soulful relationships are not afraid to be themselves. They are not afraid of showing their edges and therefore they give their partner permission to do the same.

The Key Ingredients Of A  Strong Relationship 

Communication: One of the most important ingredients of a healthy relationships of any kind is open and honest communication. Do not expect your spouse to read your mind. Work to create an environment in which each other feels safe to talk freely and express feelings or opinions knowing it is okay to disagree. Communication is based on clarifying issues, specifying feelings, and working together for mutually satisfying solutions. If one partner does something that hurts the other in any way they take responsibility, and make needed changes in their demonstration of love for the other partner.

Honesty and Accountability: Is your relationship built on truthfulness, or are there games involved? Admitting when you are wrong, keeping your word, and not making excuses for your own actions. Relationship is built on truth rather than game playing. Be truthful to yourself and your partner if you want true love. Many people are taught to lie to protect someone's feelings, either their own or those of their partner. Lies create disconnection between you and your relationship, the unarguable truth is about your true feelings. Your partner can argue about anything that happens outside of you, but he or she cannot rationally deny your feelings

Support: Being supportive, wanting the best for your spouse, and being able to rely on each other. Offering encouragement when necessary, being okay with your spouse having/keeping friends. The couple feels secure sharing private aspects of each other’s thoughts and feelings.Since couple feels secure there is no jealousy or possessiveness. Individuals can let their barriers down and allow the other person to see their perceived weaknesses, without fear of negative reactions from them. Individuals are able to be open to what the other person is feeling.

Personal Integrity: Partners are able to maintain beliefs and sense of self as well as offer time & attention to the relationship. Partners have some independence & privacy and care about each other’s quality of life. Working on a relationship always begins with working on ourselves; take responsibility for our behaviour.

Respect: Each person is valued for who they are and what they bring to the relationship. Treat the other person as if he/she is of value. Find ways to appreciate them for who they are. Differences in thoughts, feelings, values, personality, and background and so on are accepted and respected. Appreciate your partner for who they are. Pay attention, listen to your partner non judgementally, being emotionally affirming and understanding, and value your partner’s opinion even if it differs from yours. Realize that your partner will not be able to meet all of your needs. Remember that some of the needs can be met outside relationship.

Open Negotiation & Fairness: Seeking mutually satisfying resolutions to conflict, being willing to find solutions that are agreeable to both people. When differences come up, try to see the situation from your partner’s point of view and try to work through them together (agreeing to disagree sometimes, willing to compromise). No issue or problem is more than important your relationship.

Inspiration: There is a subtle difference between wanting to change someone and wanting to inspire someone to change. The difference is in the motivation: wanting to change someone serves you. Wanting to inspire someone to change for their own sake, serves you both.

Economic Partnership: Making money decisions together, making sure both partners benefit from financial arrangements, sharing dating expenses, accepting both partners need to hold a job.

Shared Power: In general, each person has an equal say in the relationship, although at time, one person may have greater say because of more information or experience in an area. Each is mindful of the other’s needs and wants as well as yours. The individuals view themselves as part of a couple that brings each person more happiness & allows each to be stronger.

Non-Threatening Behavior: Talking and acting so that each person feels safe & comfortable expressing her/himself and doing things Intimacy: Respecting your partner’s boundaries, respecting each other’s privacy, not pressuring your partner, being faithful.

Physical Affection: Holding hands, hugging, kissing, and sitting with your arm on your partner’s shoulder. Respecting each other’s right to say no, asking before acting.

Tips To Consider As You Take your “relationship temperature:”

1. Do you keep what your partner tells you within the confine of your relationship?  
2. Do you give each other space, Spending too much time together doesn't give you any time to miss each other and can even be a drain in a relationship. 
3. How well do you and your partner listen to each other? 
4. During conversation with your partner, do you look each other in the eyes and really hear each other out or do you already plan a response before your partner has finished talking? 
5. How willing are you to take responsibility for your role in your relationship? Most people are good at finding faults in each other especially those with whom they are in relationship with. 
6. Do you apologize when you make a mistake or disappoint your partner? 
7. Are you able to follow through with the little promises that you make?   
8. Are you conscious of your parner's likes, dislikes, sensitivities and emotional needs? 
9. The distracting presence of smartphones and other gargets can put a damper on intimacy and relationships. 

In order for a relationship to be balanced and healthy, each person needs to assert his or her own needs and be responsive to those of their partner. Over time, couples have a tendency to take each other for granted, not realizing that recognition, appreciation and affection need to be regularly exchanged, in whatever way it works for both of them. Realize that healthy relationships take continual work and effort to maintain.

NB: In the comments below we would love to hear from you, which of these points do you want to work on?