5 Simple Habits to Learn that Will Help Build a Strong Relationship

Interpersonal dynamics can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to maintain a healthy relationship. It takes a lot of effort and commitment from both parties to make relationships and marriages work.

Aside from dual effort, many locals rely on the relationship and marriage counselling Melbourne couples are turning to when they need support. Experts agree that it takes a series of small habits to keep communication and positive engagement going in every relationship. If you’re keen on finding out what some of these habits are, keep reading.

Relationships Take Effort

As with everything else, what you put into your relationship is what you get out. Therefore, for your relationship to work, both parties need to work on growing and then maintaining the initial spark that connected you in the first place.

With that in mind, our team of experts have drawn up a list of the primary habits that you can work on implementing in your relationship. Creating a happier, stronger bond will go a long way toward keeping you and your partner together.

1.     Create Constructive Communication

One thing that many failed relationships have in common is a lack or breakdown of communication. Whether you’ve been in a relationship for a few months or in a marriage for several years, maintaining healthy communication should be the cornerstone of your partnership.

Constructive communication can become challenging as people get to know each other and seem to make less effort to interact. To focus on creating new, engaging communication, focus on these two tips:

• Something new: Make it a point to ask your partner something new every day, or even with each conversation. Instead of asking, “How was your day” rather ask “What was interesting about your day.” That opens the door for general conversation rather than just a one-word answer.
• Be engaging: Choose a point your partner mentions to create a new conversation. If, for instance, they mention that they met a new client at work, instead of answering with a simple “OK”, ask questions to keep the conversation going. Make eye contact to show you’re genuinely interested.

2.     Make Regular Check-Ins a Habit

When you and your partner first started dating, no one needed to remind you to check in throughout the day. Over time, daily check-ins can go from seeing how someone is doing to chore reminders on the way home.

Use your check-ins to remind the other person that you still think of them when they’re not around. You can also use them to clear the air if there seems to be a minor issue brewing. Doing this will ensure that you open the door to conversations about recent disagreements or causes of tension.

3.     Let Go of the Past

It’s not uncommon for past events to keep making a reoccurrence in your current disagreements or arguments. Whether you have dealt with past issues on your own or you’ve used a series of therapy techniques to help you move on, it’s essential to leave these issues in the past. They have no business in your current situation.

4.     Create Date Night

Busy schedules, taking care of the kids, and a general sense of exhaustion are some of the common reasons why married couples aren’t able to find constructive time for each other. A simple but effective way to change this is by setting aside one night a month when you and your partner leave the house and spend time together, minus the kids.

The idea is to reconnect, rekindle your romance and create opportunities for engaging conversation. Strive to do something different with each date night and make an effort to make it as fun and engaging as possible. Here are a few fun suggestions to give you a few ideas:

• Movie night/day away from home
• Have dinner at a fancy restaurant – dress up!
• A picnic under the stars
• Go cycling
• Visit the beach
• Arrange a wine tasting at a local winery

5.     Remember the Small Positives

When you’re continuously arguing, someone may tell you to “not sweat the small things” that see a huge argument over almost nothing. While this is true, you shouldn’t forget to always look for small positives that can show you still care.

The best way to do this is to pay attention to your partner, as this will usually give you plenty of ways to do the small things that make you appear ever so thoughtful. Some ideas here include the following:

• Pick up a few of their errands when they’re working late without fussing about it.
• If they mention a new restaurant has opened in town, surprise them with a reservation on date night.
• Everyone has down days. If your partner is having one or going through a tough time at work, find some small gestures to let them know you support them.

Final Thoughts

It’s very rare these days to find partnerships where people are committed to working on the habits that will keep the relationship happy and functioning. If you’ve been lucky enough to find “your person”, it’s essential to make the effort required to keep the relationship working. A combination of new habits and a few counselling sessions may be all that’s needed to keep your relationship on the right track!