We all aspire to have healthy relationships, yet many of us never truly learn what that truly entails. Navigating a committed relationship is no simple task, as it involves merging two distinct individuals.

While on the other hand, embracing the differences between partners is essential for fostering a resilient and loving connection. However, this can prove to be a challenging endeavor. Moreover, human nature’s perpetual quest for more can lead us to attempt to transform our partner into an “ideal” according to our standards, rather than embracing them wholeheartedly.

To help you be able in cultivating a strong and long-lasting relationship, check out below some great insights you can apply in your relationship.

8 Great Tips to Build a Healthy, Loving, and Long-Lasting Relationship

 

1. Cease Attempts to Change Your Partner

A prevalent pitfall that often leads to relationship deterioration is the belief that you can change your partner. Because you won’t, and most times it only becomes wishful thinking. When your partner doesn’t change no matter what you do, it will instead make you feel resentful and it will be dangerous for your relationship.

It’s crucial to recognize that a thriving relationship is built upon trust and the freedom to remain true to oneself. Seeking to control a partner not only constitutes a detrimental aspect of a relationship but is also a habit that frequently emerges unconsciously. Often, you may believe that what you do is for the benefit of your partner. But unfortunately, what you think is best might not be the same as what your partner thinks.

Opting to cease attempts at altering your partner’s behavior and instead embracing them wholeheartedly can pave the way for complete acceptance and better love life.

 

2. Withhold Judgment

Engaging in judgments and criticism during conflicts only widens the emotional gap. This will only drive you and your partner apart, rather than bringing you together. Instead of passing judgment on your partner’s actions, it’s more constructive to express gratitude for their positive contributions. For instance, expressing appreciation when they assist with household chores or when they come home late after a long day of work.

 

3. Increase Empathy

Replacing judgment with compassion and expanding that empathy go hand in hand. Thus, the best way to stop arguments is to put yourself in the shoes of your partner. Thinking about how you want to be treated by your partner can truly improve your insight on how to act. By extending empathy, you can create greater security in relationships.

 

4. Prioritize Open Communication

Avoid harboring thoughts and feelings while leaving your partner to speculate about your emotions. Effective communication is an essential component of a successful relationship. Therefore, openly discuss all significant matters to avoid any drama from happening.

During most conflicts, our communication is infused with emotions like anger, irritation, and the like. However, allowing these emotions to dictate the conversation can foster defensiveness and instead divert attention from the core issue. It’s crucial to phrase your expressions of these underlying emotions in a gentle and non-reactive manner, replacing accusatory statements with more empathetic phrasing such as “I felt hurt because…“

 

5. Injecting Spontaneity

In long-standing relationships, monotony can sometimes set in, leading to conflicts with your partner. To avert such discord caused by boredom, introduce small surprises to your partner. These surprises could manifest into lovely gifts for your partner or by planning romantic trips!

 

6. Engage Your Partner Better in Conversation

Most times due to our busyness, we frequently detach from our relationship. After a long day, we often only ask basic questions such as “How was your day?” This routine does little to enhance your bond and may even undermine it, as you miss out on really engaging your partner in heart-to-heart communication. 

Instead aim to engage your partner better in conversation. Ponder what happens during the day, whether your partner has happy moments to talk about or a burden that needs to be shared so it can be lighter.

 

7. Offering Support

When your partner is feeling down or requires assistance, it’s imperative to allocate time to provide the needed support. Avoid passing judgment on their low spirits or a bad day. Remember, partners serve as each other’s most dependable support system in both the relationship and life.

 

8. Clearly Express Your Desires

Over time, we might fall into the assumption that our partner understands us so profoundly, thus they should be able to know what you’re thinking without you needing to say it. Well, this is most definitely not true, and this assumption often leads to unmet expectations! It’s important to express what you feel, whether emotional to physical desires, in a clear manner to your partner – no matter how long you’ve been together.

Indeed no relationship is perfect. You might clash here and there with your partner, or think that your partner is not the right person for you. But do remember that it takes two to tango, and it’s the same with making a relationship to work. You and your partner need to contribute to building a long-lasting and healthy relationship.