How to Retain Trust in a Relationship

Maintaining trust in your partner will promote a healthy relationship overall.

Creating a trusting relationship starts with being open with one another and finding ways to enjoy your time together. Retaining a trusting relationship means being communicative and taking necessary steps to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Instructions

1. Communicate with your partner regularly. Modernlife.org recommends being clear in your communication by avoiding negative tone, sarcasm and gestures that could contradict what you are actually trying to say. Talking about your interests as well as your concerns on a consistent basis will strengthen your relationship by allowing you to express yourself without hesitation.

2. Maintain some independence. While you may enjoy spending the majority of your free time together, it is also important for you to spend time with others. In a Psychologytoday.com article titled "10 Ways to Perk Up Your Relationship," Darby Saxbe notes that "by making your life more satisfying, you take pressure off your relationship to be your sole source of happiness."

3. Keep your relationship expectations realistic. While it is easy to become swept up in your feelings for your partner, it is important to remember that no one is perfect. The Kansas State University Counseling Services website notes that accepting your partner for who she is helps you to maintain a healthy relationship.

4. Keep your word as much as possible. Being reliable and honest in your life will help your partner feel he can be as open and honest with you in return.

5. Talk about your concerns with your partner in a calm manner. Telling your partner you are fine when you are upset about something can cause you to harbor resentment if the issue is never addressed.

6. Do not look for problems where they do not exist. Telling your partner that you trust her and then snooping through her e-mail violates both your trust in her and her trust in you.

Tips & Warnings

• The Kansas State University Counseling Services website suggests that people in healthy relationships show respect toward one another, even in times of crisis. If you feel you are too worked up to remain calm, go for a walk or exercise to calm yourself down before talking to your partner.

References

• Modernlife.org: Essential Skills for Marriage: Communication
• PsychologyToday.com: 10 Ways to Perk Up Your Relationship
• Kansas State University Counseling Services: Healthy Relationships