10.Advice to keep: Say I love you
If you’re looking to develop a strong relationship, you have to say, “I love you.” “Saying I love you to your partner, whether it’s first thing in the morning or at bedtime, is important,” says Bonnie Winston, a celebrity matchmaker and relationship expert. “And saying it with a shared kiss makes it extra special.”
Happy couples say that all day— when they wake up when they eat lunch when they go to sleep. She says she’s going to try other meaningful three-word phrases like “You amaze me,” “You enthrall me,” “I adore you” or “You ‘re my all.” Slip these words into conversation whenever possible.
11.Advice to keep: Check in with one another
Your father-in-law can’t drive to the supermarket without a call from your MIL asking if he made it there and he’s ok. You don’t have to chat 24/7, but people in stable relationships have a call or text— to show the child’s new mess, an online joke, or for no reason at all.
“Studies indicate that there has been a decline in communications between couples,” says Antonia Hall, MA, a psychologist, relationship expert, and author of The Ultimate Guide to a Multi-Orgasmic Life. “So it’s important to re-prioritize our relationships. Checking in can be a great way to do that. Use check-in time with your partner as a way to foster connectivity.”
12.Advice to keep: Don’t hold a grudge
You just won’t let it go that he was on a business trip on your birthday. He can’t forget that you didn’t make it to his company’s holiday party. Not letting go of something, aka grudge, is unhealthy to a relationship. “Holding onto a grudge can contribute to increased stress levels and cause harm to your physical and psychological well-being,” says Hall. “Letting go of grudges isn’t easy. But it’s important for your own health as much as the good of your relationships.”
13.Advice to forget: Don’t ask for what you want in bed
Women are better now than they were in the 30s and 40s for asking for their sexual needs, and they want to be satisfied, says Walfish. So, unlike your in-laws, tell your man what you want to be done in bed. And guys, it’s okay to ask for the frequency, speed, and type of sex you want and need.
“Sex is a wonderful way for couples to bond and communicate, in addition to verbal language,” says Walfish. “Healthy couples fortify the foundation of their relationship by nourishing the marital relationship with sex.”
