HABITS OF COUPLES THAT CREATE AND MAINTAIN A HEALTHY TWOSOME

There are habits of couples that create and maintain a happy and healthy relationship, and unfortunate, it does not happy overnight. For any relationship to grow strong and lasting, the couple need to put in some work because nothing works until it is worked out.

The habits that will create and maintain a happy and lasting healthy twosome are as follows:

* Communication: Communication is key that unlock most important qualities in keeping a healthy relationship. But unfortunately, not everyone knows how to communicate properly or communicate at all. They don't know how to talk to each other with love and honesty. They take themselves for granted. Happy and healthy couples communicate the good, vocalize their love for one another and compliments each other. They discuss the bad, instead of sweeping it under the carpet. So in order to move forward as a couple, both spouses need to be able to truly talk about everything, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable it sounds, it will make for a long lasting and fulfilling relationship.

* Respect: In a relationship between consented adult, respect is earned, not demanded. Respecting your partner comes in many forms. Maintaining a joyful relationship means respecting your partner's time, heart, character and trust. There are many things couples do in relationship that can break down respect between them. They are name-calling, talking negatively about your spouse to friends or family, threatening to leave the marriage, saying something and doing the opposite, taking your partner for granted, secrecy, neglecting your responsibilities in the marriage etc. If you show respect for your spouse even when disagreeing, you keep the door open for returning to emotional intimacy.

*Quality Time, not Quantity: Healthy relationship is all about spending quality time together. It doesn't matter how much time you and your partner spend together, the most important part is about the quality of this time. Spending quality time together as a couple help to maintain a deep connection and bonding. It gives you the opportunity to understand each other likes and dislikes and to do that which makes your partner happy. It also helps you to revel in your spouse's best qualities and celebrate them.

*Time Apart: Just as spending quality time with your partner is important, spending time apart is equally important. Being able to do your own thing and remain independent is very vital. When couples spent too much time together, it can create an unhealthy co-dependent relationship. maintaining healthy boundaries and some autonomy will make for a long-lasting partnership. God puts in each person a gift and a talent which each need to accomplished here on earth. No one is create a stooge. Schedule time for yourself, to focus on your needs and take good care of yourself. You can't give when you are running on empty.

*Love languages: Men and women have love languages and have unique ways of feeling loved. These love languages are: words of affirmation, receiving gifts. quality time, acts of service and physical touch. So it is important to know that the love language speaks to you differs to the one that speaks to your partner. Telling each other and doing that which makes your partner feel loved and special and attending to it consistently helps both of you stay connected.

*Appreciation: Often, we forget to let our partner know that we appreciate them. We think it, but we don't remember to show it. Showing your spouse that you love them boost their ego. It could be done by words, acts of kindness, cards, gifts etc. Remember a word of affirmation keeps the relationship fights at bay, maybe not every day, but you get the point. Tomorrow is uncertain, the time to show your appreciation to the one you love and care for is NOW.

*Sex: Sex helps couples to cultivate a flourishing relationship. Sex is the more you have, the more you want it. The less you have it, the less you want it and the less you feel connected to your partner. Keep sex alive and spice it up continuously.

*No comparisons: There is a saying that grass is not always greener on the other side. But even if it is, it might not be the kind of grass you would even like. With other people's relationships, we tend to compare our relationships with other. But the happiest of couples don't look to see what the grass looks like on the other side, they are happy with the view out their own front door. Those who compare their relationship with others end up losing theirs in the process out of frustration. Couples in a healthy relationship are always contented with what they have, while trusting God for His lifting.

*Pick and choose you Battles: There are arguments to be had in every relationship. So it is very crucial to bring issues to the forefront and work through the hard times together.  Pick and choose your battle wisely because people in happy and healthy relationships do. A spouse who must win every argument has not figured out that battle are being won, but the marriage is being lost.

*Positive Vs. Negative: Nobody is perfect except God. Some times couples are caught up in the negative. It is vital that partners look at the positive qualities of their spouses and not the negative for a healthy relationship. So instead of focusing on the bad in the other, make it a conscious effort to look at the good side of your spouse. If you find yourself sliding into a negative mood, catch yourself and change the direction of your thought. Pray to God to take control of what you say or do and guard your lips and not let you drift towards evil. Talk to a friend that lift you up spiritual, listen to good uplifting music. We have power to change only ourselves but God changes others.