A strong and healthy relationship can be one of the best support systems in our lives. Good relationships improve all aspects of our life, strengthening our health, our mind, and our connections with others. Relationships are an investment - the more we put in, the more we can get back.

These tips teach you how to keep a healthy relationship strong, or how to repair trust and love in a relationship on the rocks.

1.                 Communication

Communication is one of the most important qualities in healthy relationship. However, not everyone knows how to communicate properly, or even how to communicate at all. Happy and healthy couples have this game down. They vocalize their love for one another, saying I LOVE YOU often and offering compliments. They also discuss the bad instead of sweeping issues under the rug. In order to move forward and grow, a couple needs to be able to talk about their feelings honestly. No matter how awkward or uncomfortable it feels, healthy and open discussion will make for a long lasting and fulfilling relationship.

2.                 Respect

Respect for your partner comes in many forms. Maintaining a joyful relationship requires respecting our partner’s time, feelings, character, and trust. Unfortunately, there are many things people do in relationships that can break down respect, like name-calling, talking negatively about the other to friends or family, and/or threatening to leave the relationship.

3.                 Quality Time

The amount of time you spend together physically is not nearly as important as the quality of your time together. There’s a huge difference between having dinner at a table while talking about each other’s day at work, and having dinner while sitting on a couch watching the latest episode of The Voice. It’s fine to zone out together and enjoy distractions, but it’s crucial to make sure you two are still engaging and spending quality time together to maintain a deep connection.

4.                 Time Apart

Spending time together with our partner is important, but it is just as important to spend time apart. Being able to do our own things and remain independent is vital. When a couple spends too much time together it can create an unhealthy codependence. Maintaining healthy boundaries and some autonomy will make for a long-lasting partnership.

5.                 Appreciation

Often, we forget to let the other people in our lives know that we appreciate them; we think it, but we don't remember to show it. Show your special someone that you love him or her. This could be done with words, cards, flowers, acts of kindness, and more.

6.                 Positive Vs. Negative

Sometimes we get caught up in the negative aspects of our relationships.  Nobody is perfect, and that includes our significant other. It’s vital that we look at our partner’s positive qualities, rather than focusing on the negative. Making a conscious effort to look at the good qualities that your partner exhibits will make you appreciate them more than if you concentrate on their annoying or “bad” qualities.

7.                 Sex

Let’s not forget how important sex is in cultivating a flourishing relationship. Sex is simple, the less you have it - the less you want it, and the less you'll feel connected to your partner. Keep your sex life alive and interesting. "Spicing it up" is not just meant for the kitchen.

8.                 No Comparisons

We often compare our lives to those of others — what jobs people have, their homes, and their clothes, and we even tend to compare our relationships as well. But the happiest of couples don’t look to see what is on the other side, they are happy with themselves.

By Marina Vjetrovic