With a new year on the horizon, many of us find ourselves reflecting on various aspects of our lives and looking for ways to improve upon them.
One of the areas that most people focus on is, unsurprisingly, marriage and relationships.
It goes without saying that long term relationships take work and commitment in order to keep them strong, something that it can be difficult to make time for when life gets in the way - particularly once children are in the picture.
So what can we do to ensure we keep our relationships strong?
Here are some of the top tips I've found.
1. Communication is key
This seems like such a cliche but it's also without a doubt the most important thing on the list. Communication really is the most important factor in any relationship. A strong friendship built on trust and mutual respect is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, and it's so important to ensure that this continues to be nurtured even years into a marriage.
Be careful not to bottle feelings up, ensure any disagreements are talked through as soon as possible so that bad feelings aren't left to fester, and always be as open and honest with your partner as possible.
2 Remember To Listen As Well As Talk
Of course talking about your own feelings is vitally important, and something that should be done freely and often but it's also important to ensure that you're putting just as much effort into listening.
This means more than the simple act of hearing what your partner is saying, but rather make a concerted effort to SHOW that you are listening using audible acknowledgements and visual signals such as nodding - it may sound simple but it can make all the difference, particularly during a conversation that the other party is finding difficult to have.
3 Make Time For Each Other
This one can be really tricky, life gets busy and it can be hard to find even an extra half hour in a day to set aside time to spend together. It can also be tricky not to spend that time focused on the TV or falling asleep instead of enjoying each others company too!
But the key is to remember that making time for each other doesn't necessarily mean every single day - it's better to find a way to set aside one evening per month to do something nice together, even if it's just cooking a meal, than to stress yourselves out trying to find time every day when neither of you is really up to it.
Its also just as important to remember that although quality time together as a couple is crucial, allowing each other some space to be alone is just as important too.
4 Put The Phones Away
This is certainly one that I have to make a real effort to remember to do, particularly as I work online and the temptation to just check my business emails is always there but it's incredible how quickly a whole evening can disappear when you're focused on a screen and before you know it - your quality time together has passed and you've barely uttered a word to each other!
5 Don't Be Afraid To Seek Outside Support
There's no shame in seeking outside advice and guidance, in fact it can be incredibly beneficial to a relationship to seek marital counseling and it's something that many couples could benefit greatly from.
Sometimes an outside perspective can make all the difference.
*Written in collaboration with Regain
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