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| Nurturing Your Relationship |
Often, people who are in relationships, especially long term relationships, forget that their relationship needs love and care. Nurturing each other can make the difference between a relationship surviving a rough patch or not.
Here are some tips for nurturing your relationship:
Communicate in a Tactful and Honest Way
In the heat of an argument, it's easy to forget to be tactful. And, yet, you might regret something that you say that you can't take back once it's out. Even if you need to take a break from a heated argument, it's important to treat your spouse with respect and care.
See my article: The Challenge of Keeping Small Arguments From Developing Into Big Conflicts in Your Relationship
Provide Each Other with Emotional Support
Listening with empathy can make all the difference even if you can't change whatever your spouse is going through. You both need to be there for each other.
Show Compassion
During difficult times, your relationship can degenerate fast if you're each blaming each other for your problems. Put yourself in your spouse's shoes and think about how you would want him or her to respond in a similar situation and then show the same compassion that you would want.
See my article: Relationships: Moving Beyond the Blame Game
It's easy to take each other for granted, especially in a long term relationship. No one wants to feel taken for granted, so express your gratitude to your spouse for the things s/he does or says
See my article: Relationships: The Importance of Expressing Gratitude to Your Spouse
Persevere Through Difficult Times
Along with providing each other with emotional support, it's important that you both remain committed to each other when things start to get rough. Of course, this doesn't mean that you should put up with abusive behavior. But, under normal circumstances, when life presents challenges in your relationship, your attitude to see it through together is important.
Admit When You're Wrong
If you realize that you've made a mistake, it's important to admit it, make amends and move on. Holding onto an attitude of "I'm right" when you know you made a mistake will only make matters worse
See my article: Relationships: The Courage to Admit You're Wrong
Have a Sense of Humor
In many situations, seeing the funny side of a situation can help lighten the mood and help you and your spouse to deal with a difficult situation.
Share Common Goals
One of the signs of a happy, healthy relationship is that both people share certain common goals. This helps to make your relationship more meaningful.
Create Special Times Together
It's very easy to get bogged down with responsibilities and family obligations, but you and your spouse need to have time together for just the two of you.
See my article: Creating Special Times Together to Enhance Your Relationship
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| Nurturing Your Relationship: Creating Special Times Together |
Be Open to New Shared Experiences
It's easy to get into a rut in a long term relationship, so being open to new shared experiences can keep your relationship alive and fun.
See my article: Being Open to New Experiences
Getting Help in Therapy
There are times when couples go through tough times when they're unable to work things out for themselves. During those times, it can be helpful to seek help from a licensed mental health professional who has experience helping couples to work through their problems.
When you seek help, you're acknowledging to each other that your relationship is important enough to make the commitment to attending couples counseling.
About Me
I am a licensed NYC psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR and Somatic Experiencing therapist who works with individuals and couples.
To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.
To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.