Research shows that love is still the number one reason people get married. Yet, so many marriages end in divorce. Singles looking to tie the knot may be wondering what it takes to have success in a long-term relationship and we’ve got the answers.
For most people, meeting and marrying their perfect partner is a huge goal. But, when trying to find someone to spend the rest of your life with there are many things to consider.
You should get along, respect one another, and have incredible communication skills if you want your marriage to be a success. Not only will the right relationship stand the test of time, but it will make you feel great about yourself too.
Does it take a marriage course or just common sense to form and maintain a healthy relationship? Discover below the 6 keys pivotal to long-term relationship success.
The 6 Keys to Long-Term Relationship Success
1. Sharing Values
Any marriage expert will tell you that in order to develop a healthy relationship with someone, you’re going to need to understand their core values. For example, treating your spouse like your best friend, viewing your marriage as sacred, and agreeing on aims and goals were three key qualities to a happy marriage, according to an Australian study.
Here are some topics you should discuss with your spouse to see whether you have the same values.
Politics
Having the same political opinions and beliefs does not necessarily make for a successful relationship, but it certainly makes things easier. Finding out where your spouse’s leanings are can help you understand how they think.
Spirituality
Do you and your spouse share beliefs spirituality and faith? Research indicates that religious couples are often happier because they share core values and morals.
Business
Your spouse’s job may not seem like something you need to talk about in order to build a successful relationship, but where you work and what you do has a direct impact on your finances, free time, and potentially where you live.
Finances
Talking about money is a must when you start to get serious with your spouse. If you get married or move in together, how will the finances be split? Will you share a bank account? What type of spender/saver are you? These are good answers to have when planning your future together.
Children
Do you want children? If so, what will you do if your spouse is firm in their decision not to start a family? Having different opinions on children can lead to heartache down the road, so it’s best to ask these questions sooner rather than later.
The Future
Where do you both see yourselves in five years? Not everyone will be able to accurately answer this question, but it’s a great way to open up the lines of communication about how you see your futures going and whether your paths align.
2. Trusting Each Other
Another important quality in long-term relationship success is being able to trust your partner.
Trust is essential because it’s what allows you not only to relax but also to be vulnerable with your spouse.
You can cultivate trust by being honest, even when it’s difficult to do so. Another great way to promote trust is by living up to your word and showing your partner you can be dependable.
The physical connection between partners is also important for building trust, as the oxytocin hormone released during physical touch (such as holding hands or kissing) has been shown to increase trust, lower stress, and boost monogamy.
3. Being Your Best Self
Do you have fun with your partner? Couples who laugh together are happier and more likely to stay together. Research shows that sharing a sense of humor with your spouse yields a higher probability of relationship success.
When you are in the right relationship, you’ll know it. Not only do you get along and have fun with your spouse, but they make you feel great about yourself. You will have better mental health and feel more mental and physical vitality when supported by a loving partner.
4. Compatible Intimacy
Intimacy is an important part of maintaining a long-term relationship.
Research indicates that the more satisfied a couple is with their physical life together, the more intense their emotional intimacy was.
Physical intimacy is important, but so is emotional intimacy. This is what helps build up the marital friendship and strengthens a couple’s bond in the long-run.
Studies show that married couples experience less stress and greater happiness when they spend quality time together.
5. Communication Is Solid
Results of a Brazilian study showed that money, children, sex, and jealousy were the most common problems faced by couples. These problems, as well as issues communicating and committing, are what often leads to the dissolution of a relationship.
Yes, communication is positively correlated with relationship quality. It’s what helps couples get to know one another, develop a deeper bond, and solve problems before they snowball out of control.
A Marriage counsellor will teach you about boosting healthy communication through monthly marital check-ins and will stress the importance of empathy and listening skills. These qualities will help you and your spouse get the most out of your communication efforts.
6. Handling Conflict
Research shows that the perceived nature of the relationship is a big indicator of long-term relationship success. For example, viewing your marriage as sacred and having the opinion that “Nobody is as happy as we are!” can actually be great for your relationship.
One way you can stay happy with your spouse is by learning how to handle conflict. Listening is just as important as communicating when it comes to handling conflict with your partner.
It’s also important to approach problems as a partner, not enemies. Join together and tackle the problem, not each other.
In Conclusion
You’ll know you’ve found the right person if you can trust each other, and are able to communicate openly without fear of judgment or being misunderstood. Sharing values and having compatible intimacy are two crucial qualities in any successful long-term relationship.