You may already be in a good relationship and need some simple activities and advice to keep things on solid ground. This article discusses 5 things you can do that will help your relationship.
1. Live in the positive. Don't let the negative aspects or happenings of the day rule your life. Don't always talk about the negative things that are happening at work, with your friends or family. Focus on the positive aspects. The more you talk about negative feelings the more they will stay in the forefront. It then becomes difficult to break that chain of negativity that you have created because that's the focus of most of your conversations. Discuss what is positive in your life. You will feel better about yourself and your partner will feel better about your relationship when he or she sees how
positive you are. Positivity will make you seem like a happier person; most of us would prefer to be around happy, positive people.
2. Acknowledge the positive. In line with #1 be sure to offer a positive reaction when your partner is excited about something. This is important because it allows the two of you to share something with each other on a deeper level. Offering a positive reaction regarding some event or happening in your partner's life reaffirms to them that you care and that you are genuinely interested in their affairs. Ignoring them or not reacting in a positive way is deflating and can be a source of tension between you both.
3. Avoid indifference. Indifference means to act impartial or unconcerned. Acting in this manner tells your partner that you could care less; it just doesn't matter. So if they are sharing good news with you and you don't react at all (or act indifferent) the message you are sending is that their news isn't important to you. It doesn't matter if it makes you feel good, it makes no difference to me. This act of indifference will be perceived by the other person that you don't care about them as well. Indifference is not a good quality to have.
4. Don't be judgmental. Isn't it great to be able to confide in someone and share your feelings without being judged? Isn't it great to be able to be who you really are without the fear of being criticized for it? No one likes to be judged. It makes a person feel less than who they really are; it makes them feel inferior. You cannot have a sound, loving relationship between two people if one or both of you is judgmental.
5. Be emotionally available. Everyone comes to a point where they need someone else to lean on. When you are in a relationship you will want to turn to your partner for emotional support just as they will turn to you. It is very important that your partner can rely on you for this. Make every effort to be open and accepting of them when they need a shoulder to cry on. Try not to use phrases like "you shouldn't feel that way" or "that's just the way it is, get over it." People's feelings are what they are. You should never deny someone their feelings. If you aren't sure what to say to your partner
during those times it's better not to say anything at all. Sometimes they just need someone to listen to them - without judgment (#4).
If you would like to read more about relationships and receive my new free ebook then click here now.
Peter Harris is a health care professional and author and writes frequently about relationships.
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