Tips for Healthy Relationships

By Randi Morse

In a few short months I will have been married for 18 years. The idea of being married for that long astonishes me. Both my husband and myself say that it feels like we've been married forever, and yet not long at all, all at the same time. Even though we're best friends and love being able to spend time together, there are definitely days when my husband simply breathing annoys me. 

Healthy Relationships

It's a mistake to believe that you have to have positive thoughts, all the time, about your spouse. Your husband, or wife, is the person that you spend the most time with. They are privy to every party of your life, from your frustration over your job to how your breath smells in the morning. It's not possible to be that close to somebody, for that amount of time, without occasionally irritating one another. Far too often I see friends leave relationships because they get frustrated with their partner, even though it is a perfectly normal part of any relationship.

Time Alone

There are a number of things you can do if you find yourself being irritated with your significant other. First, get some space. Make sure you explain to your spouse that you are feeling so you need some time alone. You don't want them to believe that they are the problem, because it's likely that they aren't. It's healthy for partners to spend some time apart from each other. Many relationship therapists recommend that partners each have their own, individual hobbies. This can be something you enjoy doing that is simply for you. When you are part of a couple it can be easy to lose your individuality and having a hobby allows you to reclaim that.

Talk it Out

Talking to your partner about how you are feeling is always a good idea. Make sure you focus on how you are feeling, and go deeper than anger or frustration. Ask your partner if they have suggestions as to how to fix the situation, they may have solutions that surprise you. 

Above all else know that being frustrated with your significant other is completely normal, and that it's not necessarily something to end a relationship over. Take a little time for yourself, find something that is uniquely yours and you may find that how you feel about your partner changes quickly.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Orange Park, Fla.