The Naked Truth | How to keep your relationship strong: romance, sharing, connection, good habits and gratitude
- If you want to improve your relationship, or work out where it’s going wrong, counsellor Michelle Harris has some helpful hints for you
- From bringing your partner a coffee in bed to sharing experiences to romantic gestures, there are many ways to strengthen that bond
One essential habit that all couples should maintain to build a strong successful relationship is the regular display of gratitude. Being appreciative is not just reminding someone that you don’t take them for granted, it’s also a way to remind one another of what you have.
I know of a loving couple who swear by this habit, and they have been practising daily gratitude for years. Every morning – without fail – they tell each other at least 10 things they are grateful for in their marriage.
You reap what you sow in a partnership, and in a way, it’s no different to putting together a meal in the kitchen. If you use the right ingredients and invest time and effort into what you’re making, then it will show in whatever you end up serving.
When you say “thank you” to your partner, even for the smallest task, it can have a lasting impact. Even the smallest show of gratitude can make all the difference, especially on a bad day. The foundation of a long-lasting relationship is built with many things such as encouraging words and actions, positive attitudes, and romantic expressions of love and sexual intimacy.
Michelle Harris, a natural counsellor and personal, relationship, and couples’ empowerment guide agrees that communication with love and respect is crucial.
“Remind them of their positive attributes. Focus on what they do, rather than judging or complaining about what they don’t do. Express their positive traits to your friends, so you are always talking about them in a respectful way,” she says.