Don’t rely on love alone.
Theres no shortage of relationship advice out there.
You hear it from friends and relatives, strangers on the internet, books, podcasts and TV shows.
Of course, every partnership is different, and what works for one couple may not work for another.
We asked these therapists what relationship rules they believe in and why.
Heres what we learned:
1.
Keep dating each other.
No matter what stage of the relationship youre in, resist the urge to slip into autopilot.
By dating your partner, youre able to continue to grow not only as a couple but as individuals.
This allows chemistry and intimacy to continue to evolve alongside the relationship.
Stop comparing your relationship to others.
Comparison is a natural human tendency.
Thinking from time to time about how your relationship stacks up against other couples in your orbit is normal.
Make rules that support your relationship and normalize that your rules make your relationship work, she added.
Dont avoid the uncomfortable stuff.
According to therapistKurt Smith, one of the main reasons couples come to therapy is issues theyve been ignoring.
So make it a rule in your relationship that you both wont avoid the uncomfortable stuff.
Express gratitude every day.
Make expressing gratitude for your relationship a daily practice, Chavez said.
[Its] a way to show love and support for one another.
Be transparent with your partner.
Showing up in an authentic manner builds trust and intimacy in the relationship, Tahim said.
Relationships dont exist off only positive connections.
In fact, its the negative experiences that often bring two people closer together.
Being transparent allows you to connect with your partner authentically.
Continue to build trust.
Many couples dont really consider how important trust is until theyve lost it, Smith said.
Dont rely on love alone.
Its true what they say:Sometimes love just aint enough.
Take time to really define why you are with this person.
