RELATIONSHIP TIPS: Strengthening Your Love

A strong, healthy relationship can be one of the best
supports in your life. Good relationships improve all
aspects of your life, strengthening your health, your
mind, and your connections with others. However, if
the relationship isn’t working, it can also be a
tremendous drain. Relationships are an investment.
The more you put in, the more you can get back.
These tips can help keep a healthy relationship
strong, or repair trust and love in a relationship on
the rocks.



STRENGTHENING YOUR LOVE:

Everyone’s relationship is unique, and people
come together for many different reasons. But
there are some things that good relationships
have in common. Knowing the basic principles of
healthy relationships helps keep them
meaningful, fulfilling, and exciting in both happy
times and sad:



 What makes a healthy love relationship?



STAYING INVOLVED WITH EACHOTHER: Some
relationships get stuck in peaceful
coexistence, but without truly relating to
each other and working together. While it
may seem stable on the surface, lack of
involvement and communication increases
distance. When you need to talk about
something important, the connection and
understanding may no longer be there.

 GETTING THROUGH CONFLICT: The key in a
strong relationship is not to be fearful of
conflict. You need to be safe to express
things that bother you without fear of
retaliation, and be able to resolve conflict
without humiliation, degradation, or
insisting on being right.

KEEPING OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS AND INTERESTS ALIVE: No one person can meet all
of our needs, and expecting too much from
someone can put a lot of unhealthy pressure
on a relationship. Having friends and outside
interests not only strengthens your social
network, but brings new insights and
stimulation to the relationship, too.

 COMMUNICATING: Honest, direct
communication is a key part of any
relationship. When both people feel
comfortable expressing their needs, fears,
and desires, trust and bonds are
strengthened. Nonverbal cues—body
language like eye contact, leaning forward or
away, or touching someone’s arm—are
critical to communication.