Say No to Bad Romance: Keys to Nurturing Strong and Positive Relationships
Words by Katherine C. Eustaquio
Published in Total Fitness Magazine May 2011 issue
“And baby when it's love if it’s not rough it isn't fun.”
That’s what Lady Gaga said. Let’s admit it, there’s something about complicated relationships that make life a little bit more poetic. Some long-time couples even spark arguments just to break the monotony. Sure, complicated relationships can make you feel more alive than usual because it makes your blood tingles and curdles from time to time but in the long run, these negative emotions can wear you out. Some people are heavy on relationship drama but nurturing a positive bond with your partner can be one of the most liberating things you can feel in your life. Here are some tips on how to nurture a positive relationship.
Respect each other.
Trust isn’t the most important thing in a relationship. Actually, it respects because if both of you has this, everything else follows suit: love, trust, faithfulness. They say that love should be given freely, no wonder most people take it lightly. Unlike love, respect is earned and because it is earned, it didn’t come from nothing. Whether it's respect for privacy, earning capacity, comprehension, and family matters, respect for each other is a strong foundation for both of you to grow as accomplished individuals who are in a relationship.
Make good conversation.
The “getting to know” phase is really the most exciting of all. Not only because you’re learning so many new things about a potential partner (provided that you didn’t Google him firsthand) but because of the many conversations that strengthen your bond. Make time for conversations and take them in small but regular doses. Share life stories, get to know each other all over again so you can be reminded what made you fall in love in the first place.
Try a little bit of tenderness.
With all the things you do, who has the time to make or take breakfast in bed? It seems that the world is too busy to be passionate. Try to be a little more tender: fix his tie a bit slower, kiss her a little bit longer, and make love like it’s your first time to hold each other. Positive relationships are all about making strong connections and these seemingly small gestures linger long after the moment had gone by.
Do something crazy.
No matter how adamant you are in keeping the fire burning like crazy, every relationship has its down time. That’s called life and that’s normal. Whenever you get to this phase, try doing something crazy—spend the entire day in bed, pack an overnight bag and go on an unplanned trip, try extreme sports, go to amusement parks and live a “teenage dream” for a day…anything to get the blood pumping. Go on and be silly. Besides, that’s what real lovers do.
Published in Total Fitness Magazine May 2011 issue
“And baby when it's love if it’s not rough it isn't fun.”
That’s what Lady Gaga said. Let’s admit it, there’s something about complicated relationships that make life a little bit more poetic. Some long-time couples even spark arguments just to break the monotony. Sure, complicated relationships can make you feel more alive than usual because it makes your blood tingles and curdles from time to time but in the long run, these negative emotions can wear you out. Some people are heavy on relationship drama but nurturing a positive bond with your partner can be one of the most liberating things you can feel in your life. Here are some tips on how to nurture a positive relationship.
Respect each other.
Trust isn’t the most important thing in a relationship. Actually, it respects because if both of you has this, everything else follows suit: love, trust, faithfulness. They say that love should be given freely, no wonder most people take it lightly. Unlike love, respect is earned and because it is earned, it didn’t come from nothing. Whether it's respect for privacy, earning capacity, comprehension, and family matters, respect for each other is a strong foundation for both of you to grow as accomplished individuals who are in a relationship.
Make good conversation.
The “getting to know” phase is really the most exciting of all. Not only because you’re learning so many new things about a potential partner (provided that you didn’t Google him firsthand) but because of the many conversations that strengthen your bond. Make time for conversations and take them in small but regular doses. Share life stories, get to know each other all over again so you can be reminded what made you fall in love in the first place.
Try a little bit of tenderness.
With all the things you do, who has the time to make or take breakfast in bed? It seems that the world is too busy to be passionate. Try to be a little more tender: fix his tie a bit slower, kiss her a little bit longer, and make love like it’s your first time to hold each other. Positive relationships are all about making strong connections and these seemingly small gestures linger long after the moment had gone by.
Do something crazy.
No matter how adamant you are in keeping the fire burning like crazy, every relationship has its down time. That’s called life and that’s normal. Whenever you get to this phase, try doing something crazy—spend the entire day in bed, pack an overnight bag and go on an unplanned trip, try extreme sports, go to amusement parks and live a “teenage dream” for a day…anything to get the blood pumping. Go on and be silly. Besides, that’s what real lovers do.
