If what scientists say is actually true, that love fades within two years, what do we replace it with in order to live happily ever after together with our chosen one even when the original spark is not longer there to keep us motivated? A healthy relationship is based on love, but love alone is not enough. It should be complemented with other ingredients such as trust and respect in order to make it long-lasting and enjoyable for both of you.
Here are a few tips to help you build and maintain a healthy relationship with your significant other:
1. Communicate. Communication doesn’t imply arguing and contributing to creating a tensed atmosphere inside your home. It means you should both find a way to be assertive and tell the other when something is bothering you. Such discussions shouldn’t degenerate in telling things you would later regret. The point of these conflicts is to solve them in a way that suits both of you and make your relationship grow even stronger.
2. Don’t give up your world. We all have our friends, hobbies and interests. When falling in love, we tend to drop all those in favor of being with the person we love. This is how we get to neglect our friends, our family and our passions. When the fire of love slows down, we find ourselves empty, so we can’t find a reward in our relationship anymore. This is why so many couples break up after two or three years of living together.
3. Do new things together. Don’t let routine and boredom take over. Every now and then try new things together. Join a dance class, go to movies, learn a new hobby or take two months off work and travel the world.
Maintaining a healthy relationship will make you healthier and happier, so it’s worth putting in the effort.