Top Five Relationship Tips

Healthy relationships don’t just magically appear; they must be cultivated, nurtured, and protected. Jus as any garden has the potential to bloom the most radiant flowers, it is the seeds that are planted, the care that is given to the garden, and the time invested in the process that reaps a bountiful harvest. The same is true with a healthy relationship. Every relationship has the potential of growing into a strong, lush, vibrant environment that rewards each partner with love, acceptance, and security. However, the seeds that are planted, along with the care and time invested in the relationship by each partner, will determine how the relationship grows. These five tips will help ensure that your relationship is based upon principles that will cause it to become healthy and strong. By recognizing actions and traits that can surface like weeds and choke the life out of your relationship, you can prevent many setbacks and move forward with your partner.

1. Honesty is Always the Best Policy

For a relationship to be successful, it must be built on an honest and truthful foundation. It doesn’t matter what the situation is, you’ll find that if you conceal information or aren’t truthful regarding your past, your present, or even your goals for the future your deceit will negatively affect your relationship. Every relationship must be built on honesty and have a commitment to honesty. Once one partner is identified as being dishonest in the relationship, the trust level will suffer and the relationship is in great danger of failing to survive. Every relationship must be built on trust, but the foundation for trust is honesty.

2. Stop the Blame Game

One of the most prevalent characteristics that can quickly destroy a relationship from reaching its full potential is the blame game. This occurs when one partner either blames the other for everything that has gone wrong, or when a partner fails to communicate appropriately and continually uses statements that are accusatory and blaming. For example, if every time there is a disagreement the other partner begins each sentence with, “You always”, “You did this”, “Why are you so”, “It’s always your fault” or if you find yourself making these remarks then you need to stop. Blaming the other partner will always have disastrous results. This puts the other person on the defense and increases the tension between both parties, leading to greater arguments. Instead, express your feelings by saying, “I feel” or “When this happens, it makes me feel like”. By using these phrases, you take ownership of your own feelings and your partner will not be on the defense.

3. Forgive Easily

One of the key secrets to a healthy, strong relationship is to forgive easily and without conditions. Everyone makes mistakes and the key to getting past those mistakes and moving forward is forgiveness.

4. Listen Attentively

It’s easier to talk than listen, however effective communication occurs when both partners learn how to stop speaking and begin to actively listen to what the other says. Not only listen to your partner, but also respond, letting him or her know that you have heard what they have said.

5. No When to Walk Away

If an argument becomes heated, the best approach is to walk away and take time out. When couples learn how to recognize the signs that their argument is taking a negative turn, and stop pushing buttons, but rather take time off for a cooling off session, the relationship has a chance to grow in a safe environment.