DARK SECRETS: Funny married life posts | Rare Historical Photos

The American Psychological Association (APA) points out that one of the most fundamental things to keep your romantic relationship healthy is to prioritize regular, open, honest, and transparent communication.

“Healthy couples make time to check in with one another on a regular basis. It's important to talk about more than just parenting and maintaining the household. Try to spend a few minutes each day discussing deeper or more personal subjects to stay connected to your partner over the long term.”

Part of this means that you have to tackle more difficult subjects and concerns, too, instead of keeping them secret and letting them fester.

Arguments are, overall, unavoidable in relationships. However, they don’t necessarily have to be unhealthy. What matters is not confrontation, but rather how you confront your significant other.

“Couples that use destructive behavior during arguments — such as yelling, resorting to personal criticisms, or withdrawing from the discussion — are more likely to break up than are couples that fight constructively. Using constructive strategies like listening to your partner’s point of view and understanding their feelings is a healthier way to deal with disagreements,” the APA suggests.

Meanwhile, Brides magazine emphasizes that happy marriages tend to thrive when both partners:

1. Support each other’s interests
2. Nurture their individuality through activities and hobbies
3. Stay connected by keeping their commitments
4. Schedule date nights to strengthen their bond
5. Avoid keeping score
6. Respect each other’s contributions to the relationship

Romantic relationships are a lot of hard work. They, like any other positive relationship in your life, require constant effort and upkeep. It’s not a “one and done” sort of deal. Do you know how relationship experts keep saying how you should “keep dating your spouse”? This is what they’re referring to.

You have to show your partner that you care about them. Consistently! And, to be fair, your significant other should reciprocate with the same care and effort that you bring to the table.

Rekindling the passion between the two of you is possible, but it requires patience, a team effort, and a willingness to be playful, joyful, and vulnerable once again.

You can show your partner affection in numerous ways.

Spontaneously compliment them. Show them that you’re grateful for their help. Actively (try to) have a deep(er) conversation (than usual). Do something fun and instinctive. Make plans for a date.

Your dating life should not end the moment you both say “I do” at the altar. When your partner feels like you are going the extra step and putting in the effort, the odds are that they will do the same.

The NHS stresses the fact that the relationships you have with other people, as well as with yourself, are vital to your mental well-being. If you have healthy, positive, and supportive relationships, then you are also more likely to be happier and healthier.

The added benefits are that these strong connections help keep loneliness, stress, and anxiety at bay.

No matter what your social network and romantic life look like, your relationship with yourself is something fundamental. It is something that will affect you throughout, well, the rest of your life.

“How we treat ourselves, our self-esteem, affects how well we look after ourselves and our ability to build good resilience,” the NHS states.

Some things that can help your self-esteem include positive thinking, reframing unhelpful thoughts, and finding more neutral alternatives to negative thoughts and rumination.

In the meantime, at the core of building and maintaining positive relationships with others, you will find things like respect, support, openness, honesty, and good communication.

“Being able to speak openly about the way you are feeling and, in turn, listening to your partner, friend, or family member can strengthen relationships, reduce relationship anxiety, and help to protect your mental wellbeing.”

On top of that, you should practice active listening. Pro-tip: If you are simply waiting for your turn to speak in a conversation, you’re not actively listening or engaging with the other person.

Moreover, you strengthen your relationships with those people that you actually spend time with. So, put in the effort to regularly check in with your friends and loved ones. Meet in person when you can. Call them and text them when you can’t. From your experience, it helps to plan live meet-ups in advance in specific detail because everyone is super busy with adulting. The upside is that having a set date you can look forward to is refreshing and energizing.

These are common-sense things, but you’d be surprised by how many problems pop up because someone can’t communicate their wants, needs, and boundaries because they feel embarrassed, awkward, or judged.

Which of these posts about married life did you find the most relatable, dear Pandas?

How do you and your significant other keep your relationship happy and healthy, no matter how many years pass?

What advice would you give newlyweds who feel a bit stressed and overwhelmed by it all?

Do you have any fun date ideas that you’d like to share with all of us?

We’d love for you to share your thoughts, tips, and experiences in the comments.