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Feb 10, 2023 · There are five relationship stages: honeymoon, uncertainty, adjustment, acceptance, and commitment. Therapists explain how couples can navigate each stage.
- Assistant Love & Life Editor
- 2 min
- R.E.S.P.E.C.T. — you both know what it means to each other. Setting up healthy boundaries isn’t always about drawing a line in the sand when things go south.
- You trust one another and that trust is earned. “If you’ve worked through your relationship baggage and you’ve worked through your blind spots, hopefully, you come to a new relationship feeling more neutral about trusting someone else,” says Duke.
- When the going gets tough, you find a way to communicate. “It’s kind of easy to have a relationship during the good times, but what really makes a relationship or bonds you as a couple is going through hard times together,” Duke says.
- You agree to disagree. In most cases, when there’s a conflict, you want to feel heard and understood and you want to come out of it feeling like the solution is a win-win for both of you, so there isn’t any lingering resentment from either side.
- Affection. Most relationships involve different kinds of affection: physical touch. sexual intimacy. loving words. kind gestures. Affection helps you bond and increase closeness.
- Acceptance. Knowing your partner accepts you as you are can help create a sense of belonging in the relationship. Acceptance doesn’t just mean they accept you, though.
- Validation. Even the closest partners don’t always see eye to eye, and that’s OK. When you don’t completely agree, though, you still want to know they’ve heard your concerns and understand where you’re coming from.
- Autonomy. As a relationship deepens, partners often begin sharing interests, activities, and other aspects of daily life. You might notice you’re becoming more of a unit as you grow closer.
Learn what makes a relationship healthy and how to improve yours. Find out the signs, red flags, and quiz to assess your relationship quality.
- Be fully present. Life has so many parts to it; so many pieces of the puzzle to fit together. There are so many distractions vying for our attention. Oftentimes, we get so caught up in the nitty-gritty of daily life that we forget to be present, especially to our partner.
- Regularly connect. First of all, take time every day to talk to each other beyond the routine niceties. Check in with each other during the day—it doesn’t take much time or effort on your part to ask someone how they’re doing, how the day is going.
- Openly communicate. This is very big. When things are going well and we agree, life and love are great. But, there are times when we don’t agree and when certain topics arise where you and your partner are far apart.
- Don’t get lazy. Over the course of a relationship we get comfortable, maybe too comfortable and complacent. We may stop taking care of ourselves the way we used to.
Apr 10, 2024 · Learn how to maintain a meaningful emotional connection, communicate openly, and resolve conflict with your partner. Find out what makes a healthy relationship and how to stay in love over time.
May 1, 2023 · Communicating well in a relationship means that you and your partner are able to have open conversations about all the things you need, want, and feel in ways that (1) allow both people to feel fully understood and cared for and (2) continue to nurture the relationship.
