As much as you want to be a love Grinch from time to time and silently judge the
walking down the street in front of you as they hold hands and throw their heads back in laughter, and think to yourself "it's all a show, it's not real", well... that's probably not true. Real,
does exist, and there
are
some couples who can make their giddy romance and easy to despise love last for a long, long time.
So how do they do it? Well, many couples and psychiatrists swear by these seven habits to help you go the distance. See for yourself.
Get your head out of the gutter! I mean that they try to go to sleep at the same time. You'll both end the day in sync with each other, and you'll fall asleep feeling harmonious. Plus, you should always say "good night" to one another no matter what. Don't ever storm off to bed without having resolved a fight.
2. Send each other little "how's it going?" texts throughout the day
Happy couples check in on each other to see how they're feeling and how their day is going. This little gesture shows that you care, and it also helps you get an idea of the kind of emotional state they're in just in case they come home in a stinking foul mood and you haven't cooked dinner and run a bath already.
3. Say "I love you" and "have a good day" every morning
You'll send your partner on their way with all the warm 'n' fuzzies, and it'll make them look forward to seeing you again at the end of the day too. That kind of emotional support is what relationships are all about, right?
You need to be a good communicator and not be afraid to talk about difficult issues. This means being able to talk about scary things like money or moving somewhere new and being able to take it seriously and listen to what your partner has to say without being judgemental. You've gotta respect each other.
5. Do stuff together that you both enjoy
It ensures you'll spend quality time together and keep feeling exhilarated by each other, even if you're past the "honeymoon phase". Have a date night, go to your local coffee shop together every Saturday, WHATEVER. Just do something that is purposefully about you spending time and energy on each other.
6. Don't be afraid to show a bit of PDA
Please don't do it to the point of making people around you feel genuinely uncomfortable, but go right ahead and hold hands when you're walking down the street, and don't hold back on kissing when you greet each other. PDA is a sign of real comfort, plus it signals that you're both proud to be with one another.
7. Focus on the good stuff about them
You obviously shouldn't turn a blind eye if they're actually being really toxic, but it's more just that you focus on the good things they do, rather than the bad stuff. People in healthy relationships don't dwell on past fights, and they tell each other often how and why they appreciate them. Don't be afraid to dish out the compliments – positive reinforcement is what'll keep the hearts in both of your eyes.
Doesn't seem so hard, does it? Next time you're in a committed relationship, keep these things in mind to make things work out for the long run.
