Relationship Advice For Couples

 Every couple has issues. Even the most loving of couples argue and fight. In fact, arguing is healthy for a relationship - it lets off steam and brings issues out into the open that could otherwise fester and cause future problems. However, some couples do not handle their problems very well. They do not address them and, as a result, molehills turn into mountains or small issues turn into a break-up. Here is some relationship advice for couples which can help accomplish the goal of having a loving, healthy relationship.

1. Treat your significant other with courtesy and respect. You may laugh at this - of course you do that, right? Wrong. I am constantly amazed at how people who are supposed to love each other speak to one another. Take a moment to really listen to how you sound. Also take a few moments to think about what you say and how you say it. The classic golden rule should apply - would you want to be screamed at, dismissed, talked down to or belittled? No and your partner does not appreciate it either. This very basic, common sense concept may go a very long way to resolving some issues in your relationship.

2. Learn how to fight. This sounds silly but the importance of this cannot be stressed enough. This is the most basic of skills that many couples never master. There is a right way and a wrong way to fight. Many couples fail to stay focused and every argument becomes an argument about every argument you have ever had! Focus your argument - only talk about the issue at hand and don't bring up the past or other matters. Give the other person a chance to talk and don't interrupt. Consider the other person's feelings and opinions. You may not resolve the dispute but at least both of you can feel satisfied with the process.

3. If you live together and/or are married, allocate chores and responsibilities fairly. One of the biggest stressors on a relationship can be when one person does, or feels that they do, more of the work. Both partners should chip in. Rather than fighting, or nagging, or being nagged about chores, the tasks should simply be divided up. You should each know what your responsibilities are and, of course, you should then do them without having to be reminded. You are both adults, after all. If neither one of you has time to keep up, consider hiring a cleaning person or a lawn service to remove that stress. All relationships should be equal partnerships and one person should not have to unfairly bear the burden of day-to-day tasks.

4. Take time for each other. People often claim they are too busy or too tired to do this. This is nonsense - in the long run, breaking up or divorcing takes a lot more time and energy. Date night always works but even just taking some time every day to talk to one another is enough. Talk about your day, about the news or about future plans. Relationships need to be nurtured or they die on the vine. Give up a couple of hours of TV a week or skip that shopping trip to see a movie. Taking a walk together requires even less time. Even running errands together can be quality time if you communicate while you do them!

Making a relationship work is hard - it requires time and effort. If you have other issues that are not resolved by the advice above, consider other solutions that may work for you or that address your specific problems. The point is, you need to work at it and don't just let it go. Remember - nothing worthwhile in life comes easy and this is especially true for good, solid and loving relationships.