We’ve all heard the saying Happiness is having someone to love and someone who loves you back, but have we ever stopped to think about what that really means? The truth of the matter is, relationships are among the most important facets of our lives, no matter whether they’re romantic, friendly or with colleagues at work. If you take just a few extra steps and learn how to build and sustain healthy relationships of any type, you’ll be able to make your life more fulfilling than you could possibly imagine. Here are some simple ways to build a strong and long-lasting relationship.

The keys to a strong relationship

Communication, communication and more communication. Don’t be afraid to have difficult conversations with your partner, but do so in a way that keeps both of you feeling heard, respected and valued. Be honest about what you need from your relationship and never settle for less than what you deserve. And remember not to sweat the small stuff — everyone fights at times, it happens. As long as both partners are committed to maintaining an open and positive dialogue things should work themselves out over time.

Don’t ignore the little things

Sometimes, it’s not what you say that matters. It’s how you say it. When we think about communication in relationships, people tend to focus on how they express themselves; but they also need to pay attention to how they listen and respond to their partner, says Lueck. If you’re SO seems unhappy, take a step back before you react and try to figure out where he or she might be coming from gurulex.com.

Don’t be afraid to try new things

We all know that actions speak louder than words, but sometimes even your best efforts at communication fall flat. The next time you and your partner seem to be approaching a troubled patch in your relationship, don’t be afraid to take some small risks to show them how much you care. Whether that means giving them a thoughtful gift or showing up with breakfast in bed after a bad day, even little gestures can make big differences over time.

Talk every day. Even if it’s for five minutes

Relationships thrive on communication. If you want a strong and lasting relationship, you need to make sure that it’s built on honest, open lines of communication. For example, if you’re married or in a long-term romantic relationship, make sure that you’re talking to your partner every day, even if it’s for just five minutes at night before bed. Maintain personal ties with friends and family members; not only does maintaining those relationships keep you sane but also gives each of your loved ones a chance to bring up any problem they might be having with another person in their life who may be affecting your friendship or family dynamic. This makes sure that none of these important relationships are put at risk because there wasn’t an open line of communication.

Do something special for each other every week

This is a simple and fun way to keep your relationship fresh and new. Doing something special for your partner every week helps you to remember why you’re together, so that when problems do arise, you have something positive to pull from in order to resolve them. However, don’t make these gestures overly-frequent or over-the-top expensive or grandiose – it’s about putting a little effort into showing love and care for each other every week. Try doing things like making dinner or picking up dessert on your way home from work as a surprise, sending flowers unexpectedly just because you’re thinking about them, leaving an I love you note on their pillow when they go out of town (this one sounds silly but it’s surprisingly sweet), etc..

Focus on your partner’s strengths, not their weaknesses

Try to focus on your partner’s good qualities and learn to love those things that make them unique. If you find yourself complaining about something, try not to nag or berate them, but rather talk it out with a view towards finding solutions. For example, if they are messy, work together to keep things in order and make sure everything has its place. Every relationship is unique, so you need to figure out what works for yours.

Be honest with each other at all times

Honesty is a crucial element of any strong relationship. If you’re dishonest with your partner, they won’t trust you and vice versa. If there’s a problem, it needs to be addressed honestly so that everyone knows where they stand and what to do next. The more honest you are, the better equipped you are at smoothing out even minor disagreements before they develop into larger issues. Most importantly, being honest keeps both parties on equal footing and feeling respected in their relationship; that way neither person feels as if he or she is giving up something for nothing or getting an unfair deal out of their partnership.