By: Natasha Archary
Preserving the joy in your relationships has many benefits which don’t just keep you happy in the moment. A relationship that is full of joy and happiness can have a positive impact on you for up to 8-weeks.
One of the keys to a happy relationship is to understand that it’s each individuals personal responsibility to take care of your own happiness.
As clichéd as it sounds, happiness comes from within and it’s not your partner’s job or the responsibility of your relationship to keep or make you happy.
According to research, partners who celebrate each other’s successes and achievements and daily joys improve their relationship satisfaction, intimacy, commitment, trust, stability and love.
If a relationship is not healthily building these qualities then it’s not conducive to sustain it.
Preserve the joy in your relationships
Celebrating your relationship doesn’t have to entail lavish displays of affection.
If this isn’t your partner’s love language, then you’re communicating in a way your partner doesn’t understand and it’s in vain.
Instead celebrate the small wins and be fully present for one another.
Researchers call this an “active-constructive” response. What it means is, if someone shares good experiences or information, the receiver of the good news responds actively and constructively.
This can provide a boost in wellbeing to both people involved in the conversation.
Some of the ways to do this include:
- Verbal praise or acknowledgement
- Physical affection
- Cook your partner their favourite meal
- Token of appreciation
- A night off
- Have a drink to celebrate
On the other hand, if your relationship lacks joy, you should assess the situation by using the following 4 steps:
- Trust your intuition
- Evaluate your relationship and your role in it
- If it’s time to let go, do so with gratitude
- If you’re staying, accept the person fully and commit
Also read: Film and Publications Board (FPB) is investigating the graphic sex scene on ‘The Wife’


