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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at GCU chapter.

In relationships, many of us don’t have a set manual to follow. At first, we’re super excited about being in love, but as time goes on and we deal with the ups and downs of daily life, our own issues can cause problems in the relationship. We might struggle with hurt feelings, emotional distance, more arguments, not knowing how to handle things, and just feeling a bit bored. It’s true, keeping a happy and healthy relationship can be really tough. Here are some tips to make maintaining a healthy relationship a bit easier.

Show Your Affection

Being open and honest with your partner is crucial. Trust and intimacy are closely linked. Demonstrating love and affection for your partner can offer reassurance of your mutual affection. It’s a silent way of telling your partner that you care for and stand by them.

Examples include physical touch, giving gifts, acts of service, quality time, affirmation, and emotional support.

Communicate

Do you feel at ease talking to your partner? It’s essential to approach conversations with an open mind and without passing judgment. Avoid letting unaddressed emotions build up. Create a secure environment where both you and your partner can express your thoughts freely.

Different forms of communication include verbal, written, non-verbal, visual, and digital.

Emotionally Bond

Share laughter, have heart-to-heart conversations, and nurture emotional closeness. The cornerstone of a robust relationship is the ability to connect on an emotional level with your partner. Being emotionally open with your partner is a vital component of a healthy and thriving relationship.

Try spending quality time with your partner, showing empathy, being vulnerable, making positive memories, or practicing forgiveness.

Make Up After Arguments

Both you and your partner might be a bit stubborn and hesitant to reconcile after an argument. Taking responsibility for your mistakes and making the extra effort to patch things up is crucial. It’s vital to understand the art of making amends with your partner following a disagreement. Arguments can create emotional distance and potentially lead to relationship breakdowns. A resilient relationship doesn’t harbor resentments, and it requires the willingness to admit when you’re in the wrong.

Try taking a break, actively listening to your partner, apologizing, seeking common ground, empathizing, forgiving, or setting boundaries.

Appreciate Each Other

How frequently do you express to your partner how unique they are and how deeply you value them? Maintaining a strong relationship depends on having mutual respect and genuine appreciation. It’s quite simple to overlook someone or neglect to remind them of your deep affection. Gratitude is important, so take the time to show your appreciation and cherish them.

You can express gratitude by giving compliments, planning events, and celebrating achievements.

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Future Together

Can you envision a lasting future with your partner? Holding onto the belief that you’ll remain together is a significant commitment. Life can present unexpected challenges, and having the assurance that your partner will stand by you through it all is vital.

Balance Tasks

Balancing responsibilities, whether it’s household chores or errands, is essential for a thriving relationship. If you find yourself better suited for a particular task, offer your assistance to your partner. This way, they can tackle a task that they find more manageable and enjoyable. When one person takes on all the shared responsibilities, it can lead to feelings of resentment. A chore chart may be necessary!

Personal Space

Do you allocate time and personal space for yourself? While closeness and intimacy are significant, setting boundaries is equally vital. Both you and your partner need your own personal space. An excess of time spent together can result in resentment or irritation. A strong relationship thrives on striking a healthy balance between personal time and time spent with your partner.

Grand Canyon University General Engineering Major & Herzing University Alumni