Every relationship ebbs and flows. Some days may feel amazing while others may leave you crying on the kitchen floor. The key to weathering these natural storms is to form good relationship habits from the start.

Here are six everyday habits to help build a strong and healthy relationship:

Couples Therapy OnlineStrengthen your relationship through couples therapy you can participate in together or apart, at your convenience.Marriage Counseling OnlineStrengthen your marriage with the help of an experienced, licensed marriage counselor, from home and at your convenience.Start hereLearn more

Couples Therapy OnlineStrengthen your relationship through couples therapy you can participate in together or apart, at your convenience.Marriage Counseling OnlineStrengthen your marriage with the help of an experienced, licensed marriage counselor, from home and at your convenience.Start here

Couples Therapy Online

Strengthen your relationship through couples therapy you can participate in together or apart, at your convenience.

Marriage Counseling OnlineStrengthen your marriage with the help of an experienced, licensed marriage counselor, from home and at your convenience.Start here

Marriage Counseling OnlineStrengthen your marriage with the help of an experienced, licensed marriage counselor, from home and at your convenience.

Marriage Counseling Online

Strengthen your marriage with the help of an experienced, licensed marriage counselor, from home and at your convenience.

Start here

Learn more

1. Don’t avoid conflict

Conflict is often thought of as a sign of weakness when in fact it is something all couples deal with, no matter howpicture-perfect their Instagram posts appear. According to Cynthia Catchings, LCSW-S, and Virginia-based licensed Talkspace therapist, “One of the most common misconceptions is that couples in healthy relationships never argue.” As Christine Tolman, LCPC, and Talkspace therapist adds, “Everyone has conflict, it is part of how we grow and change.”

Instead of trying to avoid conflict, it is better to learn how to handle disagreements in a loving and respectful manner. Tolman reiterates that conflict should not include name calling, blaming, or physical violence. Instead, focus on identifying where your own needs are not being met and openly communicate those with your partner so they know how to better support you. Whether you need space, help doing the dishes, or trust in your decision-making, it’s important to get to the root of the conflict so you can both move forward in a positive and productive way.

2. Be open to change

By trying to prevent someone from changing, you may inadvertently be pushing them away. Tolman views relationships as two parallel processes. “Each person should have the freedom to grow, change, evolve,” she said. “The hope is that you each evolve in a way that allows you both to end up in a complementary place in your relationship.” She finds that couples most often drift apart or have conflicts when they are changing in ways that are not complementary. It’s important to accept that change is inevitable and be open to the new adventures that await you, your partner, and your relationship.

3. Understand your attachment style

Ideally, relationships will embody a secure attachment style so that you can connect with each other without abandoning yourself.

4. Watch out for assumptions

It’s easy to jump to conclusions when you are feeling hurt. However, Catchings warns that not everything we hear has to be interpreted the way we think. In other words, assuming you know why your partner acts the way they do or what they mean when they say something can be one of the greatest pitfalls of your relationship. Instead, take a deep breath, practice some self-soothing, and when you feel centered, ask for whatever clarification you need to understand the situation more clearly.

5. Ask for help

While we all know that clear communication is the key to relationship success, few of us are taught how to be good communicators. Catchings believes the first step in clear communication is to learn how to listen for the purpose of understanding instead of responding right away or trying to win an argument. Next, she recommends communication strategies or tools.Third, she suggests seeking professional help, especially fromin-person oronline couples counseling.She cites Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as a particularly helpful modality for communication.

6. Educate yourself

There is a wealth of resources out there that offers useful tips and research to help strengthen your relationship. Here are a few favorites from the therapist community:

The truth is, no two relationships are the same. It’s up to you to figure out what works for you and your partner. It takes courage andvulnerability to do the inner work neededto create a strong and healthy partnership. While there is no magic bullet, there is a lot to be said for simply showing up and being present in the relationship.

Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.

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