Relationships are important to your overall health and happiness, but that doesn’t mean that they are easy to maintain. They take work and effort, and this is especially true for couples. No matter how strong your relationship with your partner may be, you can improve it by practicing these skills.
Provide Emotional Validation
If your partner is feeling angry or upset with you, you should provide emotional validation. If you offhandedly state that your partner has a right to feel such emotions, it may cause the argument to grow even more heated. Your tone of voice and your inflection should convey the depth of your sincerity, which will often lead to a calmer discussion and promote a healthy dialogue.
Offer Empathy
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in your partner’s shoes so that you can better understand his stance and his feelings. By analyzing a situation from his perspective, you may be able to fully understand his point of view and his emotions. You should then step back and use that insight to try to communicate better with one another. Unfortunately, many couples automatically assume that they know what the other person is feeling or thinking. This assumption can cause you to misunderstand your partner, which can lead to a rift.
Be Civil and Considerate
One of the most powerful aspects of a positive relationship is consideration. When you speak civilly and act considerately, your partner feels special and loved. If you speak harshly and voice negative thoughts, the relationship becomes strained and tense. When you are in the middle of an argument, take time to collect your thoughts and voice them in a respectful tone and manner. You may also want to offer a hug or a small token of your affection to help ease the tension between the two of you. When you go the extra mile to show your affection through consideration and civility, the bonds of your relationship will grow stronger, which will in turn prompt your partner to treat you in the same manner.
These strategies must be learned and practiced in order for you to incorporate them into your relationship.
While they may not feel natural at first, you will soon find that these skills help you build a more confident and caring bond with your partner.
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