10 Habits of Strong Couples You Shouldn’t Ignore. You’ve seen those pictures of cute older couples holding hands and smiling sweetly at each other as they celebrate sixty years of marriage. They are usually asked about the secret to their long-lasting relationship. Many wonder what makes a bond strong.
1: Communication
One of the best practices of strong couples is their ability to communicate with each other. Good communication means that you can share what is in your heart without fear that the other person will laugh at you. Being vulnerable when you talk to someone deepens your relationship. Things you may want to talk to your partner about include:
- goals
- expectations
- dreams
- disappointments
- fears
- joy
Communicating also means feeling free to share what your partner has done that you don’t like without fear of getting mad at you. One study found that couples who learn to communicate during conflict will maintain their relationship. Commit to continuing to talk during an argument rather than running away. You may need to take a break to calm down but then come back together to talk. Strong couples value communication.
2: Resisting Blame Shifting
Healthy, strong couples resist the urge to shift blame. It’s a bad habit for a relationship. If you feel like your partner is blaming you without taking responsibility for their actions, you need to gently back off.
Point out their contribution to the problem and show your contribution. Be honest with your partner about how you feel when they blame you. Sometimes people don’t understand what they do or how they affect others. It’s important to help them understand how their actions affect you. Stable couples can work through bad habits like blaming.
3: Listening skills
Listening is an important skill in any relationship. It shows that you care enough about your partner to hear what they have to say. One study found that when a partner shows that they are paying attention to what the other person is saying, it improves communication and increases overall happiness in the relationship. Healthy couples value good listening and strive to be better listeners.
4: Think the best about each other
Assuming the best in your partner means you don’t believe they are unfaithful, lying to you, or out to get you. It means you trust them and their choices and don’t feel superior to them. This attitude can weaken your relationship. Your partner will feel like they can’t do anything without being questioned and distrusted. Strong couples have mutual trust in each other without jealousy or accusations of intentions.
5: Laugh together
Strong couples know how to laugh together. They don’t worry about how the other person will take a joke. They deliver their humor with kindness. They don’t take themselves so seriously that they laugh at themselves.
As the old saying goes, “Laughter is good medicine.” One study found that laughter makes you healthier and helps you fight stress. A strong couple knows how to use laughter to improve their relationship and make it more fun.
6: Emotional support
Emotional support for your partner means that you support them in their difficulties at work, school, or home. Emotional support is very important because you feel that your partner understands you; they want the best for you and will do everything possible to support you during difficult times. Learning to ask the right questions is very important for married couples.
Healthy couples strive to learn how to help each other. They are constantly learning how to improve their relationship by reading books or listening to or attending seminars on how to build better relationships.
7: Encourage each other
Encouragement is a great way to build your relationship. This is something that many couples don’t do. They assume that their partner doesn’t need encouragement. Research shows that encouragement makes partners feel supported. Here are some encouraging things you can say to your partner.
- I love you
- You are magnificent
- I appreciate you doing this.
- Thank you
- You make me feel loved
- I’m so glad you’re my partner
- I missed you today
8: Having the same friends
Having friends is great. Talking to other couples can help your relationship. As couples share what’s going on in their relationships, you’ll learn that your relationship has many of the same problems.
You will also learn from other couples what not to do in certain situations. If you notice how one partner is being cruel to their partner, it will make you not want to do that in your relationship.
9: Show respect
Stable couples respect each other. Respect means that you consider their feelings, rights, and opinions. Other ways to show respect include:
- If your partner asks you to do something they need, you are willing to help them.
- Doesn’t roll his eyes
- No sarcastic or caustic comments
- Patient, not irritable
- Be compassionate
- Recognize how important they are
- Ask for forgiveness for mistakes
- Take responsibility for hurtful words or actions towards your partner
- Forgive quickly without any conditions
- Show respect in public
10: Commitment to the relationship
One of the best habits of a strong couple is that they are both committed to the relationship. They have shown determination from the very beginning. They want the partnership to be successful. Here are some ways to know if your partner is committed to your relationship:
- They build you up; they don’t tear you down.
- They say “we” instead of “I”
- Both partners value the relationship
- Don’t look back at other potential partners
- Value relationships above other relationships
Strong couples are willing to sacrifice for the relationship. One study found that couples felt more trusting when they saw their partner put aside personal gain for the sake of the relationship.
10 Habits of Strong Couples You Shouldn’t Ignore. How Can You Help Your Relationship?
Every relationship needs to be strengthened. Even small things can make a big difference in a relationship. Here are some simple ways to strengthen your relationship.
- Have a date night. Go out once a week to do something that will help strengthen your relationship.
- Little things matter. Little gifts, flowers or desserts can be meaningful
- Call or text your partner to say hi
- Ask questions. Even after years of living together. You can learn something about your partner.
- Show affection on a regular basis. Affection is crucial for a couple.
Strong couples are easy to spot. You can’t ignore them. They are the ones who show respect for each other publicly, listen to each other, and strive to make their relationship successful. They communicate well. They are easy to spot because they don’t care what others say about them; they care more about each other and what the other partner thinks is important.
Our needs, dreams, and goals change in life. Strong partners are attuned to these changes. Ask questions to make sure you stay on top of your spouse’s evolving needs!
Sometimes it’s hard to come up with good questions. Here are some you can ask your partner.
- What would a romantic night look like?
- Do you have any fears?
- Is there anything I can do to help?
- What’s bothering you?
- Do you feel like I’m meeting your needs?
- Am I being affectionate enough?
- You can count on me
- Are you satisfied with our sex life?
- What is your idea of a perfect day?
- What is your favorite song?
- What was the most unpleasant moment in your life?
- Who is the most influential person in your life?
These were 10 habits of strong couples that should not be ignored. Others around them may envy strong couples. But the underlying truth is clear. They work hard together to maintain this happy status. Every relationship deserves this kind of thoughtfulness and care. And any couple who wants to strengthen their partnership can apply these same principles.
