Relationships don’t just happen overnight. They take hard work, compromise and need to be continually nurtured. Life’s stresses often put pressure on a relationship, so it’s important to give back to the relationship if it is to endure. No relationship is perfect but there are ways to improve your relationship so it will survive the test of time.

According to relationships.org.au, “it takes an average of two to three years to put your life back together after a relationship break up, during which time, some are fraught with health and emotional issues”. Although it’s sometimes unavoidable, no-one ever wants to go through that sort of trauma, so it makes sense to do all you reasonably can to maintain a healthy relationship.

Honesty is the Best Policy

Being able to be honest and open in a relationship gives us a sense of security and allows us to develop mutual trust. It provides an openness that encourages both parties to explore the relationship on both an emotional and physical level. Ask any singles or relationship expert, effective communication involving feelings and emotions are how most successful relationships stand the test of time.

You Won’t Know if You Don’t Ask

No-one expects you to know the Kama Sutra from front to back. Even the most sexually experienced don’t know it all, even if they think they do, simply because we like different things. As they say, ‘one man’s pleasure is another man’s pain’. Don’t be afraid to ask each other, ‘What turns you on?’ You’re likely to find that your partner appreciates you for asking.

A Little Goes a Long Way

It is true that as time goes by we often take our partners for granted. The days of grand gestures to impress each other may have faded into the distant past. That doesn’t mean we should stop showing our partner how much we still love and appreciate them. It’s the little things that count. Cook his favorite meal after a hard day. Tell her she looks beautiful. Don’t just assume she knows that’s what you think. Give a hug for no particular reason. It doesn’t really matter what it is. What is important is that you openly continue to show your appreciation.

Book It In

If you are finding it difficult to have quality time together, get out your diary and book it in. It may not sound romantic, but the more that day-to-day life gets in the way, the more a little bit of planning goes a long way. No one is saying it’s easy, particularly if you’re dealing with deadlines, family commitments and financial stresses. But if you don’t create time for intimacy, it won’t create itself. Reminiscing on how you first met and revisiting these pastimes is a fantastic way to stoke the old fire.

Try Something New

Whether it’s a new hobby or experimenting in the bedroom, trying something new can inject some excitement back into your relationship. It is all too easy to get caught up in a rut when you’re following the same processes day after day. Sharing something new together can help put some zest back in your relationship, so keep it fresh.

Take Time Out

Relationships don’t exist in a bubble. In reality they are impacted by many factors, work commitments, family and friends, children, finances, household chores, hectic schedules, health and so on. All of which can have a significant effect on your energy levels, mood and libido. Take time out for you to relax and recharge. Spoil yourself, go for a walk, have a soothing bath, whatever you need to do to give back to you. If you don’t put aside even a small amount of time to nurture yourself you are unlikely to be able to nurture others.

Be Tolerant

We all have annoying habits, idiosyncrasies or sometimes even bizarre behaviors that can drive our significant others up the wall at times. In the early stages of a relationship we tend not to focus on these as intently, as we float along in our love bubble. As the gleam of a relationship starts to lose its shine we tend to become less tolerant of the quirks. It is important to accept each other’s differences and remember that this is just a part of any relationship. There is always good and bad, so rather than spending too much time focusing on that which is annoying do forget those things that make you laugh, feel secure and loved.

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