As we know, experiencing the the 4 horsemen repeatedly in your relationship can be deleterious. So how can we create and maintain a happy, healthy relationship? According to extensive research done on couples, there are several specific things that individuals in a happy relationship do regularly that people in unhappy relationships usually don't do. I have even seen that once my clients start engaging in many, if not all, of these healthy relationship tips, many of their original problems seem much more manageable.
First of all, in healthy relationships the wife/girlfriend begins a conversation carefully. The reason that it is especially important for the woman to do this is because the woman most often brings up difficulties in the relationship. If she does this well, instead of the husband become contemptuous, he is much more likely to listen and be open to her thoughts.
For example, instead of starting off the conversation with a harsh criticism, “I knew you wouldn’t put your plate in the sink”, wives in healthy relationships ease into the complaint, “I know we’ve both had a long day but I really wish you had picked up your plate and put it in the sink” Saying this does not immediately attack him and make him feel criticized so he is more likely to listen to what his wife/girlfriend is asking of him.
Over the next several articles, we will address several more tips on how to manage and maintain a healthy relationship.
We would love to hear your response to this article! Please feel free to leave a comment.