This article was written by Donna Begg and was republished with permission from YourTango.
Healthy relationships are based on mutual respect, trust, support, and good communication. But it takes a lot of work to develop effective and healthy communication.
Some research suggests that communication (or lack thereof) is a greater predictor of divorce than personality compatibility, commitment levels, and life events, according to the American Psychology Association (APA).
There are many ways to communicate to your partner that you love them and are there for them. Here, we break down seven ways couples in healthy relationships can show their S.O.s they're crazy about them every day:
It's important to let your partner know that you support them. Showing you're there for them with verbal and non-verbal cues makes them feel safe to be themselves in the relationship, which helps build trust and intimacy, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Saying "I love you" for the first time is a major stepping stone in every relationship. However, once you've passed it, sometimes saying "I love you" becomes a chore—or something that's just assumed rather than spoken out loud.
According to a YouGov survey, more than half of couples in relationships lasting from one to five years say "I love you" on a daily basis. But the numbers seemed to drop significantly with each year of the relationship after that. While this is natural, saying "I love you" more often could make a difference in the quality of your relationship.
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Acknowledging when you're wrong and taking responsibility for your actions is a sure sign of maturity. By saying "I'm sorry," you build trust in your relationship, according to one study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.
According to the American Psychological Association, busy couples often engage in trivial conversations regarding their daily routines and obligations. Avoid surface-level communication and try encouraging each other to share your innermost feelings instead. It's also important to truly listen to your partner. Psychology researcher John M. Grohol says that most people find it hard to set their point of view aside and just listen to the other's concern, which makes effective communication difficult. Give it a shot tonight.
Arguments are a normal part of every relationship. But how we manage these disagreements determines the outcome of our relationships. Frequent, unresolved conflict puts too much strain on your physical and mental resources, which can undermine your health and well-being.
If you notice that you're raising your voices, bringing up past issues, or bickering, it might be time to take a deep breath and say that you'll discuss the issue once your adrenaline levels get back to normal, according to the Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC).
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Saying "good night" before bed, even if you had a bad day, is a good indicator that your relationship matters to you, says Mark Goulston, clinical psychiatrist and professor at University of California, Los Angeles. He says that saying "good night" means that you both know that your relationship is more important than any upsetting thing that happened that day.
Goulstone also emphasizes the importance of giving each other a daily dose of encouragement each morning. The outside world can be harsh, and knowing that your partner is supportive of you while you're out there gives you the strength and energy to get through life's common battles.
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