Four Strengthening Tips to Achieving a Loving Relationship - Part 1 of 4

This is the first of four strengthening tips to achieving a loving relationship. Relationships are not one-size-fits-all. Everyone is unique, therefore, every relationship is unique and people find each other for various reasons. There are things, however, that satisfying relationships have in common. And knowing these base principles of loving relationships can help maintain meaning within the union. Knowing these basic symptoms can help partners stay fulfilled and excited in both the good times and the not-so-good times.

Before we get into our first of four steps on how achieving loving relationships can indeed be achieved easily, let me ask you this:

What would you consider key ingredients to maintaining a loving relationship?

Here are our tips:

•Remain involved in each other's lives: Over time it is not unusual for partners to slip into a peaceful co-existence. Sadly, the ability to continue being relatable to each other and work things out together often fades away. On the surface the relationship looks solid and stable, however, lack of being involved in each other's lives causes communication to dwindle. So when something important does come up, the need or desire to want to talk to the other person is no longer there. It takes conscious effort to want to be there for the other person and remain an active partner in the relationship.

•Making it through conflicts. As there many different people and different relationships, there are also many different ways of how people work things out. Some can talk things out quietly, others get loud or even yell, while some may even lose control. It's important not to be fearful of conflict as disagreements in and of themselves are not a bad sign, it's how we work through them, how we react, that determines the future success of a loving relationship. Emotional safety is an absolute must-have to resolving any relationship conflict. There can't be any fear of retaliation or judgment. There can only be peace and assurance that no matter what, the other partner will receive them unconditionally and lovingly. 

•Keep your interests and other relationships alive. Often people expect their new partner to be the end-all-be-all when in reality it's impossible for one person to meet all of the other person's needs. It's unhealthy to put that much pressure onto another human being. A much better path is for both partners to continue having their friends and maintain contact with them. It is also very common that soon after the relationship starts the two want to spend every minute together. Suddenly personal interests fall by the way side. But as soon as the relationship excitement fades a little, there is a void created that can cause people to get insecure. Don't let this happen to you. Maintain your outside interests along with your outside friendships.

•Communication: The best and most assured way to maintain a loving relationship is to keep your channels of communication open, honest, vulnerable and transparent. Both partners need to feel safe to communicate whatever is on their mind without the fear of getting judged. Trust is a key ingredient here and it strengthens the bond. In addition to verbal communication, don't forget that there are also many non-verbal cues such as body language, eye contact, or a mere touching of the other person's arm.

Summary of our Relationship advice tip 1: Keep physical and verbal intimacy alive

Whether it is communicating or touching - both are important parts of our human existence and extremely important to any loving relationship. Studies have shown that physical touch can increase our body's oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is a hormone that creates a bonding, relaxed type of feeling in both partners. Often times one partner may feel that the only touching needed is intercourse when in fact all forms of touching and communication ad to keeping the emotional and physical intimacy alive. Loving relationships need both.