Plato said that there were three types of love: “body” love, “soul” love, and a mix of both, which means that love can be legitimate or good and illegitimate or bad. The body should love with the soul. According to Plato, when love is true and pure, it lets the soul see that which is ideal and eternal. On the other hand, when love is bad, it ignores the soul.
If you want to keep the love alive in your relationship, you have to work at it every day. Passing this test means that you have beat the barriers of time and the problems that have emerged.
Richard Mazkin, relationship expert and author of Loving Promises: The Master Class for Creating Magnificent Relationship, explains that the key to keep a relationship going strong is to treat the other person how you’d like to be treated, and to give the love you’d like to receive. This element is crucial, but it’ll only work if both parties do it, so they can go on the same journey at the same time, and the bond can grow stronger day by day.
Be grateful
Express your gratitude, so your partner feels loved. According to a study published on Personal Relationships magazine in 2015, saying “thanks” is very helpful, and its benefits for the relationship are considerable. Let your partner know that you are grateful for their company and that you appreciate their love, their personality, and all the time you spend together.
Be kind and generous
A study by psychologist John Gottman shows that the strongest relationships are based on generosity and kindness. Be generous with your time and attention: this is something valuable that you must give to your partner to strengthen your bond. Remember to be kind in your words and actions. The fact that you’ve been together for a long time doesn’t mean that you can forget about the small things or the little gestures.
Tell your secrets to each other and ask yourselves deep questions
Trust is a must for a relationship to be long, stable, and above all, strong. Don’t think that you already know everything about your partner; it’s important to take the time to discover new things about them. Devote some time every day to get to know each other better, and dare to ask them new questions to learn more about each other, so you can really value them for the person they are.
Create positive memories together
Dr. Aron did a study that showed that couples who do something new – at least 90 minutes a week – were happier than those who didn’t. Having new experiences with your partner will give you moments of pleasure and happiness. This is very effective to keep the love alive in a relationship.
Do things on your own every now and then
A study revealed that 30% of people who said they didn’t have enough privacy or time to themselves were unhappier than those who said they did. You need to take breaks from each other to do the things you enjoy doing. Spending time apart will be beneficial for your self-sufficiency and personal growth, which are key elements for any successful, long-lasting relationship.
Overcome your fears together
Drs. Aron and Donald Dutton performed a study that revealed that being in a state of anxiety or fear can make you find the other person more attractive. So, do activities that give you an adrenaline rush; overcoming your fears together will build the trust and security in your relationship.
Cute text messages
Studies show that sending cute or sexy text messages every now and then will raise the other person’s dopamine levels because that is the brain’s happy response to the unexpected gesture. So, send each other fun, loving, and sexy messages every day, and you’ll see how your relationship will flourish.
Translated by Zoralis Pérez
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Craving more relationship advice? Check out these articles:
30 Ways To Show Your Feelings For Your Partner Without Saying “I Love You”
10 Stupid Questions You Shouldn’t Ask Someone On A First Date
7 Benefits of Practicing Yoga With Your Significant Other
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