19 Habits Happy Couples Have – But Never Talk About
Being in love is not enough, unless you can create the right ingredients to cultivate a healthy relationship. Have you ever wondered how certain couples are so happy – even twenty, thirty years later? What do happy couples do every day to keep that happiness? How do they treat one another and how much are they willing to compromise in order to make their relationship work for both of them?
Each one of us probably longs to find that one special someone at some point in our lives. Once found, we believe – and hope – that this love will last a lifetime. And that we’ll be able to share true joy, peace, trust, and intimacy with our partner. But somehow, as time goes by, to keep that first love alive seems to be more and more challenging, as each of us get sucked up in life’s daily busyness and struggles.
The key to a great relationship is the willingness to incorporate some healthy habits. Incorporating healthy habits is a process, an active undertaking done by both partners.
Following are some typical signs of being a happy couple.
Signs of a happy couple:
They respect each other
Respect is the foundation of any happy and successful relationship. Respect makes the other person feel valued. If you truly respect your partner, you will be interested in your partner’s life, you are willing to listen to your partner’s feelings, and you will ask for his opinion.
They appreciate one another
Appreciation cultivates happy relationships. A positive comment to your partner goes a long way in making him feel valued. Happy couples are able to say ‘Thank you’ – for the little and the bigger things their partner does.
Being grateful – and expressing your gratefulness – is one of the most important habits of a healthy relationship.
They communicate effectively
Expressing your true feelings is very important for communicating effectively. What makes a relationship great is the ability to communicate your needs and feelings – without being judged.
However, all communication is not verbal. Awareness of your partner’s body language is another way of understanding communication. For example, your partner may say Yes to what you are suggesting, but his eyes clearly say No. Turns out he just did not want to hurt your feelings. Happy couples are able to read each other’s body language – and in between the lines of what their partner said.
Communicating effectively takes both – for you to be able to listen to your partner, as well as for you to express your feelings to him.
They are committed
Commitment is a big issue in many relationships, and it will not work without. Happy couples were able to turn their relationship into a committed partnership. Knowing that each of them is committed to making their partnership work, creates an atmosphere of mutual respect – and interest in solving whatever needs to be solved.
They spend quality time together
In a happy relationship the couple will make sure to be spending quality time together – and enjoy each other’s company. Regularly spending quality time takes effort on both sides, especially because of the busy lifestyles most people have nowadays.
It’s not about spending every moment together, day in and day out. Not quantity but quality matters. Even if, due to their busy work schedules and other activities, they only have two evenings a week to spend with one another, they make sure that this time will be wisely spent – by being interested in each other, asking ther partner how their day went and how they are doing.
They accept each other
Happy couples are comfortable with each other, because they have decided to embrace the human factor that we all have flaws. There is no need to be in agreement on every aspect of life. What matters is mutual acceptance. Not trying to change the other person into what you want them to be.
Trying to change your partner will only create an irreparable rift in your relationship, because you cannot change anyone else. It’s difficult enough to try to change yourself. Mutual acceptance will create a relaxed atmosphere between you and allows you to discuss issues without stressing out.
They are affectionate with one another
Happy couples find it easy to pay each other compliments, give each other hugs and hold hands – in their home and in public. This way of showing physical affection goes along way in establishing a strong romantic relationship.
The 5 most important things in a relationship:
Communication
Expressing your feelings, needs and ideas in a way that the other person understands is called effective communication – and what makes a relationship great. It also ensures that there is a positive and appropriate response. Also, try to learn each other’s body language in order to understand his non-verbal communication.
Trust
Trust is one of the pillars of every happy relationship. When you trust in your partner, you believe that they want the best for you, no matter what. Trusting each other also means that you can be completely honest with each other without being judged.
Vulnerability
Fear of judgment is what keeps many couples from opening up to each other. Vulnerability is like tearing off a protective layer and letting the other person see what really lies beneath that cover. When couples are willing to be vulnerable and decide to open up to one another, it will create a deeper friendship.
Honesty
Lying to your partner may hurt him in a way that may be irreparable – and is is one of the main reasons for breakups and divorces. There is probably nothing more important than to make sure that both of you are willing to be honest with each other. Only honesty will allow you to trust each other, and you cannot have a healthy and happy relationship without trust.
Loyalty
Faithfulness should be non-negotiable for any couple that aims at building a strong relationship. This most intimate moment should be reserved for the one you love – and this mutual promise should never be broken.
19 habits of happy couples – in short:
1. They understand the uniqueness of their bond
Understanding the uniqueness of your bond helps you to appreciate that your relationship is different from others.
2. They practice patience
Patience not only helps in reducing conflict in a relationship, it is also one of the most vital habits of a healthy relationship.
3. They practice affection that is not necessarily sexual
Happy couples exchange intimacy without it being sexual. Sex is a wonderful part of two people loving each other, but on its own, sex does not really represent love.
4. They are accepting of each other
Happy couples have realized that each of them is a unique individual with strengths and weaknesses and have accepted one another for who they are, realizing that it’s important to compromise in order to keep a relationship happy.
5. They create time to be together
Happy couples, even when there have busy schedules, find a way to regularly spend quality time together and enjoy each other’s company.
6. Clear communication
Happy couples relay their feelings and opinions without the fear of being judged by the other partner.
7. They are good listeners
Partners in a happy relationship take time to listen to each other, in an effort to better understand one another.
8. They find ways to settle their disputes
Happy couples find a way to deal with their conflicts in a respectful way, by not blowing things out of proportion and taking time to really listen to each other’s thoughts.
9. They can apologize
One big factor that ends many relationships is unforgiveness. Happy couples have realized the need for forgiving each other.
10. They are honest with each other
Happy couples can be honest with each other, even if it hurts. They have learned that lies destroy trust and have no place in a healthy relationship.
11. They plan together
Happy couples plan together. This helps each of the partners to understand what lies ahead, what the other partner wants to achieve, and how to support them.
12. They are ready to weather storms together
Happy couples still support each other when things get tough. They have decided to walk the journey of their life together and will keep that commitment.
13. They are ready to fight for their relationship
In a happy relationship both partners are committed to struggling through the bad times, no matter how long these may last.
14. They complement each other
One partner’s strength may be the other one’s weakness. Happy couples have realized the benefits of being able to complement each other.
15. They are thoughtful
Happy partners make an effort to be thoughtful through some nice gestures. It does not need to be anything expensive, but they make a point of surprising each other with little gifts of affection.
16. They are not judgmental
Happy couples allow vulnerability in their relationship. It allows them to open up and be honest with each other without getting judged.
17. They find it easy to laugh with each other
Happy couples are able to laugh about all of life’s little mishaps. The world is not perfect and neither are they, and they have learned that laughter is the best medicine for the soul – and for a good partnership.
18. They are ready to negotiate
Instead of fighting, happy couples can discuss issues matter-of-fact; they can find ways to negotiate and come to an agreement.
19. They are willing to work on their relationship
Happy couples are prepared to put in their time, effort and money to establish – and maintain -a strong and healthy relationship.
The bottom line
Happy couples are far away from being perfect, but they find ways to incorporate some healthy habits into their relationship and thereby create a romantic and beautiful bond.
