8 Tips That Will Help You To Keep Your Relationship Healthy

My grandmother once told me that a relationship is a constant work in progress where both parties have to put in an effort day after day. I laughed and told her that she made it sound like a job, and she just said, “It takes years of love, and years of work to sustain the bond which two people share.”

After all this time, I now know what she truly meant. Being someone’s soulmate is a process, because (pardon the cliché) Rome was not built in a day. While you are the best judge of what your relationship needs, a little expert advice can certainly help you build a good relationship with your partner.

# Count your blessings

Be grateful for your partner and to your partner. Exercising gratitude is a lovely practice which promotes your emotional health. It makes you cognizant of the good things in life – much like a silver lining inside your mind! While maintaining gratitude journals is always an option, you can try a simpler exercise too.

At the end of each day, be consciously thankful of six things. Three qualities your partner possesses, and three things they have done that day. You can keep these to yourself, or make it a practice to involve your better half too. Being appreciated is always a good feeling because our efforts are recognised. This is a lovely way of making a relationship grow.

# How to keep a relationship strong and happy? Take some space

A relationship can never succeed if the two individuals are trying to merge themselves into one being. Talking about space, Geetarsh emphasizes the value of individuality, “We have to eliminate the need to constantly cling to our partners. Enjoy your own space, your own set of social relationships, your career and hobbies. Let your partner do the same too.”

Individuality is a very important relationship quality to have. Maintaining an independent routine outside your dating life is one of the best, strong relationship tips. Here we also address the importance of not mixing your personal and professional spheres. Don’t be omnipresent in your partner’s life because it gets claustrophobic eventually.

# Talk, talk, and talk some more

Communication is the most important factor in a relationship and most issues stem from the lack of it. Make it a point to talk to your partner. About what? Well…everything. How your day went, what you’d like to do over the weekend, a piece of gossip you came across, or even a funny meme. Just keep in mind to not be hostile with your partner, even when you fight.

# Strong relationship tips – Put in the work

You’ve had a long day at work and just want to fall into bed. But you come home to find your partner stressed and emotional. Do you comfort them quickly and go to sleep? Or do you have a sit-down session and get to the bottom of what’s bothering them? Hint: there’s only one right answer.

Option B is always the correct choice in a scenario like this. Even if your relationship demands a little more of you than usual, be willing to go the extra mile. Check in on your partner, be present when they need you and make them a priority in your life. Being a selfish boyfriend or girlfriend is really not the best way to go about a relationship. And I know you intend to keep your relationship strong and healthy.

# Gestures matter

Empty promises are such a turn-off really. Rather than talking about taking them to Paris or Rome, actually take them to have some gelato nearby. Geetarsh agrees, “Follow through on what you tell your partner. Don’t be all talk, that’s quite shallow if you think about it. Keep your word because this builds trust.”

Sweet romantic gestures like buying them flowers or taking them out on a date are some wonderful ways to keep the spark alive. They break the monotony that enters a relationship eventually. You can keep a long-distance relationship strong and happy with sweet gestures too. Be thoughtful of your partner’s needs and surprise them every now and then.

# Compromise every now and then

A healthy relationship is one where neither partner focuses on getting their way. A little bit of what you want and a little bit of what they want. A good trick I learnt from my sister was reminding ourselves that our partners are more important than what we want in a particular moment:

“Like yes, I want to have Thai for dinner. But I also want a future with him.” In a nutshell, don’t be stubborn (or selfish) about doing things your way. It’s okay to go along with what your significant other wants – they are important enough to get out of the comfort zone for.

# Be respectful (always)

A fight or a disagreement is no reason to resort to personal attacks or yelling. In fact, a conflict requires more respect than ever. This boils down to having healthy boundaries with your partner. What is a deal breaker for you? What do you construe as disrespect?

Geetarsh explains the progression of a relationship, “When we start dating someone, we want to impress them, because we are perhaps in awe of them. But we fail to create boundaries which should also be set from day one. We have to set down what is acceptable and what is not – this makes a relationship much healthier in the long run.”

# What makes a relationship stronger? Getting off your phones

A study conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed how mobile phones and social media impact relationships. 40% of the Americans surveyed reported disliking their partners’ engrossment in their phone. That’s right – 40% Americans. Do everyone a favor and be present with your partner when you are talking.

Pay them the compliment of your undivided attention. Even I hate people who are texting other while I’m RIGHT there. Like, hellooo??? It’s a good idea to have a no-phones hour at home where you can both share some quality time with your mobiles on airplane mode. Keep your relationship strong with your partner without any annoying notifications to break the spell of romance!