Recent research by the London School of Economics found that the key to happiness wasn't found in wealth, but instead in having good mental health and a happy relationship. If you find that you and your partner are not as happy as you once were, or perhaps that you would like to work on your relationship, David Brudö CEO and Co-Founder of personal development and mental wellbeing app Remente (www.remente.com), shares his best tips for working on your relationship:

Relationships on Female First

Relationships on Female First

Communication

In a relationship, you are likely to share the most intimate aspects of your life - the physical, emotional and mental. Being able to communicate openly and without judgement is a huge part of a happy and healthy relationship. Additionally, whenever any issues arise, communication will make them significantly easier to resolve - you partner isn't a mind reader and might not know what it is that is upsetting or annoying you, without you telling them.

Appreciation

Over time, being in a relationship becomes familiar and the things your partner does to support you and be there for you can also turn invisible. In order to maintain your relationship, make sure that you show appreciation for the love that you receive - say thank you, do small things for each other and complement each other to show that you are grateful.

Attention

When we first start dating, we dedicate time and effort to trying to impress one another, whether with grand or small gestures. As a relationship develops, the small gestures get fewer and farther between, however, it is important to pay attention to our loved ones, as that reinforces the relationship. Being there for your partner and providing them with love and security will make your relationship calm and happy.

Honesty

While at times this may see, difficult, being honest in a relationship is paramount to its development. Knowing that you have a partner you can trust and rely not only keeps the relationship healthy, but it also develops us as people - having a good support network prompts us to take risks and develop in other areas of our lives.

Think positive

Researchers have found that unhappy couples will focus more on the negatives in the relationship and enjoy the positives significantly less, while also attributing the problems in the relationship to their partner, instead of sharing the responsibility. When you find yourself in this circle of negativity, try and calmly think about what prompted your partner to act the way they did. Alternatively, consider if you would have behaved similarly in the situation. Once you've found a rational explanation, the problem will not seem as significant.

Compromise

For many of us, we will exert our authority and power in various areas of our lives, such as our careers or professional relationships. However, when it comes to relationships, if you don't share power and control, it is likely to self-destruct. Instead, make sure that you listen to each other and that each opinion gets heard and a compromise in which everyone is happy is found. You can further practice compromise by being flexible when it comes to issues that you aren't invested in.

Switch off

A 2014 study led by researchers at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and Boston University found that social media and the more it was used, contributed to the decrease of marriage quality. Often, when we are faced with a difficult conversation or an argument, we will turn to social media as a way of creating distance and an outlet for ourselves. Instead, make sure to have social media-free conversations with your partner and keep your phones off during meal times.

Give hugs

While most of us know that being physical is an important part of keeping a relationship healthy, what many of us don't realise is the importance of non-sexual contact, like hugging and holding hands. The more physical contact you have with your partner, the more comfortable you will feel with each other and the happier you will become, as hugging releases a hormone called oxytocin, which makes us feel happy.

Share experiences

Couples often have a tendency of falling into a routine - doing the same things together, talking about work, children and friends. However, to improve your relationship, you should try and do new things together - research by State University of New York found that even doing 7 minutes of a new activity together, improved the quality of the relationship. Additionally, try and find out new things about one another, sharing your passions and interests, as these are likely to have developed and grown since you first started dating.

Remente (www.remente.com) is a free-to-use personal development platform for individuals and businesses. The app combines psychology with brain and mental training to help users reach their full potential, complete personal goals, and lead a healthier lifestyle.


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