How to Make a Relationship Last
Looking to forge a loving, lifelong bond? With a few tips, you can make your relationship last a lifetime.
Up next in Relationship Survival Guide (43 videos)
Sort out your love life with the relationship advice in these Howcast videos.
You Will Need
- Teamwork
- Supportive attitude
- Self-knowledge
- Willingness to open up
- New activities
- Sex
- Patience
- Constructive criticism (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Work together
Make your partner your teammate. Genuinely cheer their successes, and pick up the slack and offer support when they face difficult personal issues. Remember: few teams that give in to personal rivalries ever go all the way.
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Step 2
Share your needs
Identify the people, activities, and attitudes that matter to you -- psychologists have found that people who are true to themselves are better at building intimate relationships.
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Let your partner know if your priorities change and give them a chance to adjust their behavior.
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Step 3
Open up
If something your partner does or says bothers you, tell them -- research shows that couples that express their anger may live longer than those who bottle up their emotions. Don't be petty, though -- pick your battles wisely to avoid burying your partner in criticism.
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If you criticize, do it in a constructive way -- destructive criticism has been shown to cause anger and tension.
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Step 4
Mix it up
Keep things interesting -- studies have revealed that boredom is a relationship-killer. Find a shared passion with new activities to explore together and bond over.
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Step 5
Get it on
Spice up your sex life, too. Try new positions, find unexpected moments, or delve into fantasy -- whatever helps you fan the flames of passion.
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Step 6
Be patient
Prepare to work at your relationship -- a mutual understanding develops gradually. The more time you and your partner devote to making your relationship strong, the longer it will last.
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In 2009, the record for the longest continuous marriage was set at 85 years.
