All relationships experience ups and downs, which they all share. While every relationship has its ups and downs, a solid foundation can help you weather the storm and continue to develop and strengthen your bond as time goes by. Thankfully, no one has to handle relationships by themselves. A therapist can assist you in navigating challenging situations and acquiring crucial relational skills because creating and maintaining a healthy relationship is challenging. As you assess the strength of your relationship and look for ways to make it stronger, be sure to start with the fundamentals. Here are the three essential components of a strong relationship. When you hear the word intimacy, you might immediately picture the sexual side of a relationship, but this relational fundamental actually encompasses much more. It can be defined more broadly as a feeling of intimacy between people. Strong intimacy fosters trust and vulnerability, fosters a sense of acceptance or shared values, and enables both partners to feel emotionally connected to one another. Make time spent together a top priority, despite having children and a busy schedule. Limit distractions, engage in an activity you both enjoy, and set aside time to just chat and be with each other. Do what you say you’re going to do: Both intimacy and trust require effort and time to develop. You can increase trust by being dependable, doing as you say you’ll do, and being honest even when it’s difficult. To be vulnerable with your partner, you must first be vulnerable with yourself. Give yourself permission to be free to accept and love who you are, make your own decisions despite peer pressure, try new things, and acknowledge when you need assistance.
