How do you achieve your relationship goals with the least fuss? Here are 10 simple ways to grow your relationship and make it last.

As a yoga teacher, most of the questions I get from my students and readers pertain to my practice. However, once in a while, people become more personal with questions like “How do you keep your relationship going strong?” While others may find it intrusive, I don’t. In fact, I find it flattering since it means others find my partnership with my husband beautiful (and it really is!). Anyone who’s ever been in a relationship knows it’s not easy, but meeting relationship goals do not have to be complicated either.

Simplest Ways To Achieve Your Relationship Goals

10 Awesome Ways To Create A Long-Lasting Relationship

There are a couple of things I considered when I came up with the list. First, these should be things I do. Second, they must be simple enough you can actually do it! Lastly, they are designed with the goal in mind: keep your love, trust, and faith in each other strong. Without further ado, here are my suggestions:

1. Go into a digital detox

Do you know more relationships are ruined by those tiny portable devices? As many as 75% of women believe they’re destroying their marriages! So why don’t you go into digital detox? Spend at least 24 hours without ever touching the phone or checking the Internet. If 24 hours seem a bit too much, then go with 30 or even 15 minutes. Devote this time with your loved one. Be more attentive, listen, and share stories face-to-face.

2. Be each other’s workout buddy

Exercise offers a wealth of benefits for couples. It releases endorphins, which enhances positive mood, and increases libido so you will have a more amazing sex life. It also encourages both of you to be each other’s cheerleaders and support system. You can pursue a wide variety of physical activities such as running, swimming or biking. You can join marathons or challenge yourself with some yoga poses!

3. Communicate

I couldn’t emphasize enough the importance of communication in any relationship goals. It resolves practically all problems!

In this digital age, there’s really no excuse for your non-communication. When in a long-distance relationship, you can make use of Skype and other instant messengers, as well as e-mail. You also have landline and mobile phones, although you can still be old-fashioned and leave cute Post-It notes around the home, in the lunchbox, or in the car–anywhere where your partner can see them quickly.

4. Enjoy the outdoors

Although my husband doesn’t do yoga with me (but trust me, I’m so close to convincing him), we spend a lot of time outdoors, like camping, bushwalking, or hiking. Last summer, we headed to the beach with the kids. It was such a memorable experience for all of us.

What I love about the outdoors is it gives me a change of scenery and space. And with it, I gain a deeper perspective about myself, my relationship, and life in general. Greens and nature uplift me, boost my mood, and make me feel happier. And because I feel good about myself, I feel I can love my partner better.

5. Date each other

It doesn’t matter whether you have kids, work, or other responsibilities. Find time to be with other and get into the romantic zone! Besides, dates don’t have to cost thousands of dollars. Here are practical suggestions:

• Watch a horror movie on Netflix while eating a bowl of ice cream and in a cuddle (turn on the AC too so you can both wrap yourself in a warm blanket).
• Bring your date night to the backyard.
• Cook something special at home.
• Go to the park and have a breakfast picnic.
• Do crafts together!
• Build a furniture.

As long as your focus is each other, then you’re on a date! But, nope, shopping for groceries doesn’t count.

6. Go out with friends

Boredom is one of the biggest relationships breakers. At some point, you get so comfortable with each other and everything ends up feeling routine. What do you do then? You seek excitement, which, in the long run, can drive both of you apart. I also believe familiarity breeds contempt. It’s so easy to nitpick on your partner’s minor faults because you have nothing else to do!

So go out and be with your friends. Find other people to talk to. Besides, when relationships run into trouble, these are the people you normally go to. Better yet, expand your friendship. Let his friends mingle with yours. It’s one of the great ways to get to know more about your partner.

7. Find alone time

I believe a good relationship is composed of two complete people–that is, every person has his or her own identity or individuality. It’s important for me to seek and get my own growth, to develop my own personality, and to take care of myself. For these reasons, I always seek some alone time.

What do I do during this time? I:

• Read.
• Take a walk.
• Participate in online or offline courses.
• Practice and explore other types of yoga.
• Take a swim in the community pool.
• Run in the park.
• Listen to feel-good music.
• Watch my favorite Netflix shows.

As you can see,these are very simple activities, and they don’t need to take up so much of my time. Usually, I spend 30 minutes a day for myself. At least once every two years, I travel alone. What’s important is every day I feel renewed.

8. Be affectionate

Preemie moms definitely know about kangaroo care, a practice where babies are placed next to the mom’s skin. Studies have shown this type of care reduces natal death and speeds up the baby’s recovery. Such is the power of touch: it provides incredible healing. Holding hands, kissing, and hugging are more than physical forms of affection. They are all about assurance, comfort, exchange of positive energy, and love. So give as much of them as you can to your partner.

9. Be generous with compliments

This is one of the relationship goals often ignored. Compliments are good for the body, mind, and spirit. They help build trust, make you feel good, promote attentiveness toward your partner, and make you realize you actually have an awesome partner who loves you.

10. Embrace silliness

Once in a while, don’t take yourself so seriously. Life, may I remind you, is serious enough. In fact, couples who laugh often are more likely to enjoy healthy and long lives. Surely, you want to be together for the next 50 years. So get crazy, prank each other (just don’t get overboard), and smile a lot. It’s free!

While we’re still in the crazy part, try this super-fun yoga challenge from Simplynessa15:

Achieving relationship goals is HARD WORK, and there will be times when you want to give up. But don’t. When you’re running out of ways to make it work, just check out this list and try them. They may be what you need to make your partnership a whole lot better.

What are your relationship goals? Post them in the Comments section below! Perhaps you want to make this a part of your goals too. 

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Featured image via powerofpositivity