According to Dr. John Gottman, successful relationships have a sense of shared meaning. This refers to having a meaningful relationship with your partner that has a spiritual dimension and is full of rituals for connection. Here are 4 ways to build more shared meaning in to your relationship: Share a common dream or vision for life – this can help …
Have you been feeling disconnected from your partner? What have you and your partner done to connect in the last week? Some couples use date nights or getaways as a time to connect, but it is also important to be intentional about connecting with each other in between these. Here are 3 things that you and your partner can do …
We all hurt our partner’s feelings, this is an unavoidable reality for all couples. But according to Dr. John Gottman, one of the major differences between happy and unhappy couples is that happy couples repair unresolved conflicts as they occur. Not addressing conflicts as they come up can lead to more hurt and further damage to your relationship over time. …
What is your self-care routine? Do you exercise, read, listen to music, meditate, or do something else? We all have ideas about what self-care looks like, but often it’s difficult to put those ideas into practice. The increased stress of the pandemic may be making it even harder to carve out time for yourself. However, taking the necessary time to …
We all want to be listened to and heard in our conversations with others. Being an engaged listener is an incredibly important skill that can help to build understanding and connection in conversations with your partner. But how do we go about doing this? Here are some tips from the Gottman Institute on how to listen effectively: DOs: Tune in …
No one can know what the future holds with complete certainty, and the COVID-19 pandemic has created even more ambiguity and uncertainty for couples and families. This lingering uncertainty can be scary and anxiety provoking, and it may be difficult to cope. Here are some things that couples can do to embrace this ambiguity together: Know that what you’re experiencing …
According to Drs. John and Julie Gottman, world-renowned psychologists and researchers of couple relationships, if you are too busy for a date night, you are just too busy! Date nights are always doable, but you may need to get creative, especially as we continue to experience restrictions from the pandemic. A date “night” can occur anytime during the day, and …
You’ve heard the phrase “agree to disagree,” but in the age of COVID-19, does that remain a possibility? According to Michele Weiner-Davis, a relationship therapist and writer for Psychology Today, stress associated with COVID-19 is being experienced by many couples [1]. In fact, one survey showed that about 39% of respondents are extremely stressed about COVID-19 [2]. One stressor that …
Couples across the country are struggling to meet the challenges and the new demands that have been placed on them as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Couples are having to make adjustments with regards to work, home life, finances, and children, amongst others. All of the uncertainty that COVID-19 has brought has lead to increases in stress and strain …
Perhaps you’re seeking help for your relationship, or may consider doing so in the future, but there are a variety of services available and you’re wondering which one is best for you. Though distinctly different in many ways, the terms “relationship education” and “couple therapy” are often used interchangeably and many people are unclear about what the differences actually are [1]. Relationship education is seen …
