Here are 8 things that truly happy couples (almost) never do

1. Avoid sensitive conversations

No matter the degree of compatibility between the people who form a couple, it is impossible for them to agree on all subjects. Even when there are disagreements, truly happy couples stand out in the eyes of therapists for their ability to speak openly and sincerely about delicate subjects such as money, in-laws, raising children, sex and everything in between. “Leaving important questions unexplored undermines trust and leads to resentment and disengagement”warns Winifred M. Reilly, marriage and family therapist in Berkeley, in the columns of Huffpost.

2. Keep score

In a healthy relationship, both partners do loving things for each other because they want to, not because they expect the other to reciprocate. Counting the good and bad actions of one’s partner is therefore not among the habits of truly happy couples who will rather tend to openly discuss a situation that they consider unbalanced or problematic.

3. Being resentful

While frustrations and disappointments are likely to create a rift within a couple, members of a healthy relationship are willing to own up to their mistakes and accept that their partner is not perfect. “They are ready to apologize and forgive”believes Winifred M. Reilly.

4. Insulting each other

If some couples lock themselves into communication patterns that include contempt or even insults, this is certainly not the case for happy couples who, even in the heat of the moment, rarely, if ever, resort to insults. This does not exclude the fact that they may feel anger, frustration and disappointment towards their partner but it does not call into question the respect they feel towards each other.

5. Search where it doesn’t concern them

In a relationship marked by trust and transparency, going through your partner’s things is uncommon behavior. “In a healthy relationship, no one feels like they are hiding anything worth finding out.”summarizes Spencer Northey, marriage and family therapist in Washington.

6. Lying

Along the same lines, happy couples tend to be open and honest with each other. A healthy environment in which lies have no place at the risk of breaking the couple’s trust and connection. “Healthy relationships allow you to be yourself”illustrates Spencer Northey.

7. Compete

Kurt Smith, a therapist in Roseville, Calif., says strong couples tend to regularly remind themselves that they’re on the same team rather than engaging in competitive behaviors toward each other. This does not mean systematically agreeing on everything but being able to discuss and make compromises.

8. Rely on what they have learned

Over time, some couples may stop making an effort and put their relationship on autopilot. To avoid falling into a routine, the happiest couples go on regular outings and find new things to explore together.

A journalist passionate about social issues and current affairs, Hugo puts his pen at the service of information. Interested in all themes, from the impact of artificial intelligence on…