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Top 10 Ways for How To Keep Your Relationship Strong and Healthy

By: Rane Wallace, MS, LPC, LCDC, SAP
A couple sitting on a rock with mountains in the background.

Relationships can be tricky whether you’re dating, married, or amid something complicated. We’ve all heard that maintaining healthy (and happy!) relationships takes work. However, what does that really mean? If you’re wondering, how can you keep a relationship strong and healthy, we’re here to help. As professional couples counselors, we can assure you that maintaining good relationships isn’t a long and overly complicated process. Truth be told, it’s a lot easier than society leads us to believe.

Today’s blog post covers 10 ways for how to keep a relationship strong and healthy. Keep reading to learn how to maximize and maintain the honeymoon phase.

10 Ways to Keep a Relationship Strong and Healthy

Have things started to feel stagnant? Can’t seem to find the sparks? Are the good times becoming few and far between? Don’t worry if this sounds familiar, a couples therapist can help you find the root of your relational problems and overcome them. In the meantime, here are the top 10 ways you can keep a relationship strong (from the pros):

Don’t Argue Over Money

Breakup statistics reveal that money is one of the most common sources of conflict for married couples. Therefore, it’s important to discuss early on how money is spent, earned, saved, or shared. We recommend determining how each partner views financial life and addressing differences as needed.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Is what you’re constantly arguing about really worth arguing over? It is easy for a trifling issue to manifest into something bigger. Therefore, talk about what is actually bothering you instead of sweating the small stuff. Open communication is one of the simplest ways to make your relationship stronger.

Resolve Your Arguments Together

It is incredibly easy to revert to a ‘me versus them’ mentality when fighting. However, don’t let yourself get locked into that win/lose dynamic. When you’re facing a disagreement, think of it as you two against the problem, not you two against each other. Approach things from a ‘we’ perspective and avoid the temptation to cast blame.

Be Affectionate. (Like, a Lot)

Intimacy is a lot more than just sex. To foster a healthy and happy relationship, it’s important to show your partner how much you care about them. Hold their hand in public, compliment their new hairstyle, or do something else that demonstrates your love for them. And if you feel like your partner isn’t giving you the attention you crave, tell them that.

Use Your Words AND Your Actions

We’ve all heard that actions speak louder than words. However, you need both in a relationship. Telling your partner that you love them will carry more weight when you’re also doing things that they value. Showing (and telling!) your partner that you care is a surefire way to make your relationship stronger.

Cultivate a Sense of Fairness

While every couple is different, you and your partner both have things on your plate. For example, if you’re both working 9-to-5s (and coming home tired, hungry, and – let’s be honest – a bit crabby), who should prepare dinner? And help the kids with their homework? Or clean up around the house? If you haven’t already guessed, the answer is both of you. To keep a relationship healthy and happy, both partners need to make an effort.

Foster (and Embody) Your Different Identities

Even though you’re in a relationship, you and your partner are two different people. While it might be tempting to match your identity to the person you’re with, it will only make you lose track of yourself. If this happens, you risk becoming overly dependent on your partner. Not only will this put a major strain on the relationship, but you could feel trapped and unable to move on if/when things aren’t working.

Become Expert Communicators

Good communication is a must when it comes to maintaining strong relationships. And when we say communication, we mean intentionally listening, understanding, and responding. Proper communication involves: a) one partner addressing a particular issue and, b) the other listening intently until their partner is finished. Avoid the temptation to listen solely for a place to jump in and start inserting your opinion.

Honor Each Other’s Strengths (and Weaknesses)

Marriage works best when you approach it as a unified team. It’s unfair to expect your partner to be absolutely everything you need. Instead, you should learn to honor their strengths and work with their weaknesses. (Because spoiler alert – you have them too.) Never try and change your partner or expect them to be someone they’re not.

Set Goals as a Couple

Another way to keep your relationship strong is to set goals as a couple. Consider where you would like to be one, five, or even ten years in the future. Then, work together towards that goal. If you continue adding goals along the way, you will continue to strengthen your relationship.

Top Rated Couples Therapist in Fort Worth, Texas

So, how can you keep a relationship strong and healthy? We hope that today’s blog post helped you find an answer. However, if you’re still struggling with issues in your relationship, the best way to solve them is to speak with a professional couples counselor or therapist.

Here at Fort Wellness Counseling, we have helped couples solve their problems and maintain healthy, harmonious relationships. Whether you’re dealing with infidelity, lack of intimacy, or are simply feeling disconnected, we can help get your relationship back on track.

Ready to see what we can do for you? Book your appointment today.

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