Here are ten things happy couples do differently than unhealthy couples. See how many of the characteristics below describe your relationship.
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Lounge. Happy couples love being together. Simply hanging out together, minus errands and an agenda brings significant happiness and joy.
Listen. Happy couples listen to one another. Each person seeks first to understand, then to be understood. (This is one of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits.)
Laugh. A great sign of health in a relationship is laughter. Lots of laughter! Laughter reduces stress, lightens each person’s load, and most importantly, it makes life fun.
Learn. Happy couples tend to be life-long learners. Learning makes life interesting, but better yet, it makes each person in the relationship more appealing. Additionally, the best lessons you’ll ever learn in a relationship are the insights you gain about your partner.
Like. Happy couples not only love each other, they like each other. They intentionally zero in on what they like about their partner instead of focusing on the traits that might get under their skin from time to time.
Lend. Happy couples share duties and responsibilities. They are equal partners and are willing to lend a helping hand, usually without having to be asked.
Look. Couples that love each other look at one another with fresh eyes. They continually discover new things about their partner that make the person unique, interesting, attractive, and sexy.
Lunch. Happy couples eat meals together. Whether it is breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a midnight snack, they realize meal times provide the best space to slow down and connect.
Launch. Couples in healthy relationships champion the dreams of their partner. They are more than cheerleaders; they are launch partners to each other’s success.
Last. Healthy relationships last. Unhealthy relationships don’t.
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Questions: Which word and description connects most with you and why? What would you add to the list?
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Photo: iStock
This article originally appeared on Live It Forward.
This was great thanks!
Launch: definitely.
Or Ladder: Be the rails that lead them up and the rungs that they reach from. Let them choose the direction.
I would add Intrests, they allow each other to pursue different interests outside of the relationship. Like travel, sport and hanging out with their own friends. Keeps the relationship interesting. There are time when I get annoyed at my partner, she lets me vent and knows it has nothing to do with her, it’s my problem and she lets me own it. Damn I am a lucky man.
Excellent kmg. It takes two healthy individuals to make a healthy couple, and being your own person with your own interests is a sign of health. Thanks for your input!
Thanks so much, Susie! The one I struggle with the most is “lounge.” I do love lounging around with Kathy, but sometimes I’m going so fast that I struggling slowing down. However, I know it’s important just to hang out together, so I actually block out time on my calendar with no agenda except to lounge 🙂
LOVE this article Kent! You hit a home run with these words and insights!
Listen is one L, I continue to work on everyday, as well as coach my clients to excel in. I am grateful for a hubs who is my greatest fan when it comes to Launching!
The 10 L”s are a terrific alliteration and I definitely plan to share your wisdom with others!
Which L are you best at, and which L do you need to grow in?
Going to ask the hubs these same questions so we can Learn about each other!