Tips that Bind: How to Have a Healthy and Lasting Relationship
Words by Katherine C. Eustaquio
Published in Total Fitness Magazine Jan-Feb 2010 Issue
“It’s not you, it’s me.” Actually, it’s you and me. There’s a lot of truth in this common breakup line. A relationship is about two people. So whether it’s a smooth-sailing or a nerve-wracking one, a relationship’s progress and decline stem back to both partners. This year, don’t get caught in a bad romance. Here are a few tips on how to smoothen the edges and enjoy a healthy and lasting relationship with your partner.
Voice out Your Needs
Partners, particularly men, are not mind-readers. This is the time when it pays to be clear and vocal. Explain to your partner what you look for in the relationship. Whether it’s more “Me Time” or profound intimacy, the fact that you can voice out your needs is an effective way of showing your partner that you are serious about securing them. You’ll be surprised by the way your partner could go to lengths to meet your standards.
Complement Each Other
“You fill in on what I lack.” Sometimes, life has a way of pairing up people who complement each other. I strongly believe that this is part of the reason why we end up loving the people we initially dislike. Learn to accept each other’s differences, strengths, and weakness and embrace each other’s faults. Besides, if you continuously try to restructure your partner into the ideal, yet surreal kind, the only person you’re fooling is yourself.
Be Passionate
The Corrs were right; everybody’s really searching for intimacy, so make time for it. Strengthen the bond between you and your partner by engaging not only in sexual pursuits but also in deep and meaningful conversations. Moreover, according to recent studies, passion in bed not only aids in weight loss but also in strengthening cardiovascular and immune systems as well as reducing the level of stress.
Forgive and Move On
No matter how perfect some couples appear to be, disputes and misunderstandings are staples in every relationship. In fact, studies show that disagreements help strengthens the bond between two people. Express your feelings and fight for your convictions in a sincere and composed way. Likewise, learn to accept and respect your partner’s points of view. Moreover, forgive past disputes. The only way to move onto greater things is to absolve and let go of things that no longer hold any bearing.
Grow Together by Spending Time Apart
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” so they say. I believe that the real lesson in this age-old quote is that couples need not spend all of their free time together. There are couples who seclude themselves in their own world that you can’t seem to separate them not even with a red-hot poker. While others claim that going from “you and me” to a constant “we” is healthy and understandable, couples still need to give each other time to grow. Having a time all to yourself is a great way to learn about the things you’ve yet to discover about yourself. The better you know yourself, the better you can deal with other people.
Published in Total Fitness Magazine Jan-Feb 2010 Issue
“It’s not you, it’s me.” Actually, it’s you and me. There’s a lot of truth in this common breakup line. A relationship is about two people. So whether it’s a smooth-sailing or a nerve-wracking one, a relationship’s progress and decline stem back to both partners. This year, don’t get caught in a bad romance. Here are a few tips on how to smoothen the edges and enjoy a healthy and lasting relationship with your partner.
Voice out Your Needs
Partners, particularly men, are not mind-readers. This is the time when it pays to be clear and vocal. Explain to your partner what you look for in the relationship. Whether it’s more “Me Time” or profound intimacy, the fact that you can voice out your needs is an effective way of showing your partner that you are serious about securing them. You’ll be surprised by the way your partner could go to lengths to meet your standards.
Complement Each Other
“You fill in on what I lack.” Sometimes, life has a way of pairing up people who complement each other. I strongly believe that this is part of the reason why we end up loving the people we initially dislike. Learn to accept each other’s differences, strengths, and weakness and embrace each other’s faults. Besides, if you continuously try to restructure your partner into the ideal, yet surreal kind, the only person you’re fooling is yourself.
Be Passionate
The Corrs were right; everybody’s really searching for intimacy, so make time for it. Strengthen the bond between you and your partner by engaging not only in sexual pursuits but also in deep and meaningful conversations. Moreover, according to recent studies, passion in bed not only aids in weight loss but also in strengthening cardiovascular and immune systems as well as reducing the level of stress.
Forgive and Move On
No matter how perfect some couples appear to be, disputes and misunderstandings are staples in every relationship. In fact, studies show that disagreements help strengthens the bond between two people. Express your feelings and fight for your convictions in a sincere and composed way. Likewise, learn to accept and respect your partner’s points of view. Moreover, forgive past disputes. The only way to move onto greater things is to absolve and let go of things that no longer hold any bearing.
Grow Together by Spending Time Apart
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” so they say. I believe that the real lesson in this age-old quote is that couples need not spend all of their free time together. There are couples who seclude themselves in their own world that you can’t seem to separate them not even with a red-hot poker. While others claim that going from “you and me” to a constant “we” is healthy and understandable, couples still need to give each other time to grow. Having a time all to yourself is a great way to learn about the things you’ve yet to discover about yourself. The better you know yourself, the better you can deal with other people.
