Whether you’re just starting out in a new relationship or you’ve been with your partner for months or even years, finding ways to cultivate happiness with your significant other can help you enjoy a healthier and more fulfilling relationship. While it’s true that all relationships take effort, commitment and sacrifice in order to make things work, there are still plenty of simple ways to strengthen that bond and boost your joy as a couple. These simple tips can help you both experience more happiness so that you can delight in your partner while cherishing your time together.
1. Put Friendship First
The level of romance in your relationship can ebb and flow over time but a solid friendship can be a sturdy foundation for decades of happiness. While you’ll certainly have your differences, your partner should be someone you genuinely love spending time with. Make time to do things together that you both enjoy, talk often and be honest about what’s going on in your life. The support and companionship that grows from a healthy friendship can help you be a happier couple.
2. Keep Date Night on the Calendar
No matter where you are in life, it’s easy to make dating less of a priority when you’re in a committed, long-term relationship. Dating is critical when it comes to keeping your love life fun and exciting. Every couple should aim for some distraction-free time alone at least once a week. The location and price tag don’t really matter here; you can have as much fun enjoying a free date at home as you can going out to a pricey venue. Just be sure you’re making an effort to take a break from the norm and spend some quality time together on a routine basis.
3. Focus on Having Fun Together
For some people, keeping things fun just comes naturally. However, most couples have to find ways to make their own fun and shake things up. Visit a theme park or go see your favorite band in concert. Go shopping for couples underwear or try other ideas to spice things up in the bedroom. Try something completely new that you’ve never done before. Whether you get creative, plan an exciting outing or just get silly, focusing on fun can bring some much-needed joy and stress relief to your relationship and your life.
4. Remember the Value of Time Apart
If you and your significant other do everything together, it may be time to take a step back and give each other some space. One of the most important keys to a healthy, happy relationship is understanding the importance of maintaining your own individuality. You should strive to spend time with separate friends or find activities you can participate in without your partner. It will help you cultivate your own happiness while making your time together that much sweeter.
5. Make Kindness a Priority
What’s the secret to a life-long relationship? Many studies have found that couples who have stayed together for the long haul have one important trait in common: they’ve learned the value of kindness. Prioritize your partner’s needs and wishes, make an effort to do nice things for them, learn to let minor offenses go and be quick to forgive. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to reciprocate kindness once you’ve received it. Healthy, happy couples make a habit of treating each other kindly on a daily basis.
There isn’t a secret formula for creating a perfect relationship. Even the strongest and happiest couples experience ups, downs and even the lowest of lows. However, if you can build a foundation of trust, friendship and fun, you can find joy and a connection that improves both of your lives and is always worth fighting for.
