Simple Ways to Keep Your Relationship Strong and Healthy

 

Simple Ways to Keep Your Relationship Strong and Healthy

Keeping a relationship or a marriage vibrant goes beyond love alone. Strong feelings matter, but life’s demands often push quality time aside. Your relationship requires constant attention. Attention means allowing your relationship to flourish so trust and dependability can foster a positive outlook with realistic expectations that can garner a deep caring bedrock of your relationship. Fortunately, there are numerous simple ways to nurture your relationship without major schedule changes or expenses. Your relationship also requires connections on various levels, such as a physical, emotional, and psychological level that also gives a healthy respect for each other and their needs. Here are my recommendations to keep your relationship strong while strengthening your bond!

1. Always greet each other when you come home

Start by saying “hello.” It may seem basic but greeting your spouse or partner when they come home matters. It shows you’re glad to see them and conveys, "I missed you."  No one likes arriving somewhere unnoticed; the same applies at home. So, offer a warm “hello” and a sweet kiss! A few moments together can significantly boost relationship happiness.

2. Regularly connect with each other

Playing taxi driver to your kids and their friends can feel like a never-ending of Juggling from appointments and activities in our fast-paced lives. That’s why it’s crucial to carve out time for weekly check-ins with your partner. Whether over a glass of wine after bedtime or during a coffee break, spend 30 minutes discussing the past week and planning ahead.  If you're stuck on topics, I’ve got conversation starters to inspire you!

3. Don’t forget to date your spouse

Being in a long-term relationship or being married doesn't mean romance has to fade or stop altogether. You just have to be more creative to keep it fresh and alive. In fact, it's essential. Break free from the daily grind of routine and prioritize date nights with your partner.  Set aside one night a week just for the two of you—dine out, catch a movie, or enjoy ice cream together. Make time for joy in your relationship!

4. Have Realistic Expectations

You likely included something like “for better and for worse” in your vows. To nurture your relationship, share daily better or worse moments over dinner.  It's a fun tradition that even kids can join!  This simple practice fosters open communication between you and your partner.

5. Do you appreciate your partner, try telling them every day

This is a simple yet powerful practice. Each day, reflect on something you appreciate about your spouse. Instead of keeping it to yourself, share that appreciation! When they make coffee or help out with the kids, let them know how much it matters to you. Such acknowledgments strengthen bonds and can ease tension during challenging moments.

6. Why do you love your partner? Try telling them

In the beginning, relationships are magical with butterflies and sweet words.  As time passes, those feelings can fade. It’s okay not to be as expressive, but don’t let affection slip away. Regularly say “I love you” and share why! Whether it’s for helping out or just being them—express it proudly!

7. Look each other in the eyes

Remember when our parents taught us to make eye contact? Turns out, that lesson is crucial in any relationship and marriage too! Nothing's more frustrating than talking to someone who’s distracted by their phone.  Show your partner you care - look them in the eyes and minimize distractions during conversations.  Put your damn phone down or just turn it off while you’re with your partner. Make your partner the priority at the moment.

8. Turn off all technology

To truly connect, try unplugging from technology now and then.  Establish a no-phone policy on date nights or leave devices in another room during your morning coffee.  This distraction-free time lets you both focus on each other, fostering the attention and care your relationship deserves. 

9. Never stop flirting with your partner

Marriage doesn't mean you stop flirting. A gentle touch or a quick kiss can reignite that spark.  Every little affectionate act—from holding hands in public to surprise hugs while cooking—matters greatly and nurtures a joyful relationship built on trust and communication.

10. Surprise them – with a spontaneous gift or a surprise date night

Why reserve surprises for just holidays and birthdays? Let’s elevate beyond the typical cake and cards.  Think spontaneous gifts or surprise date nights! A sweet note left on your partner's car seat can brighten their day.   A simple “Love you, have a great day” may feel childish, but those little gestures still work wonders after years of marriage!  My favorite is to remember the day you met me, or the day you fell in love with me and on that day every month, hand me a rose or a flower of your choice with a note that says you love me or a poem you found. Little things like that make it worthwhile.

11. Argue constructively

I’ve always said that if in a relationship you get into an argument then both of you need to get naked and then argue constructively. If you truly love your partner, how can you argue with them while they are naked? Get over yourself and your insecurities and even what was bothering you while your partner is naked in front of you. Just love them for who they are and solve the problem once and for all. Be specific about your feelings in a calm fashion, then state your position clearly and move on. Don’t be nasty, derogatory, or insulting, and don’t drag past complaints into the discussion, be respectful and keep your mind open to solutions that benefit you both.

Conclusion

Viewing your relationship as another chore on the to-do list can be easy.  However, it’s those little daily habits that nurture and fortify your connection over time.  With these 10 straightforward tips, you’ll not only enhance your bond but also infuse joy and excitement into it!

 

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Phoenix University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Ashford University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 7 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, Gardening, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

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