5 Ways to Communicate in a Relationship

1. Respect Your Partner

Though you may be baffled by where he is coming from, always respect your partner's point of view and allow him to express those feelings adequately. Listen attentively whenever your partner speaks and keep your eyes on his face. Acknowledge what he is saying by nodding or replying at appropriate points. You can endeavor to understand and sympathize with your partner's point of view, even if you disagree with it.

2. Be True to Yourself

Just as you respect your partner, so too do you have a right to be respected in turn. When you express yourself, she should allow you to finish and should acknowledge your feelings as clearly as you acknowledge his or hers. You should never be afraid to speak your mind and stand up for issues which you feel are important. As long as you do so with respect for your partner's feelings, you should always have the right to express your thoughts and opinions.

3. Find Time to Talk With Each Other

We can get very busy with day-to-day activities such as work and raising children. It pays to take a few minutes each day to "update" each other. Talk about where you're at, what's going on and any concerns or positive developments which may be taking place. The dinner table is a good traditional place to create these moments, so make sure everyone is present for dinner and use the time to talk. It can be any period of time and under any conditions, though. The key is that it is consistent and that both partners stick to it.

4. Keep Your Tone Neutral and Even During Tense Conversations

Arguments have a way of escalating when both partners are worked up. When you talk to your partner, even if the subject is a hot button, it pays to keep your cool. Be firm and stick to your guns if you feel it's important, but always maintain a level speaking voice. Don't rise to any emotional bait and refrain from interrupting when your partner is speaking (and make sure he reciprocates in kind). A calm tone will convey a sense of serenity to your partner and allow the two of you to resolve the issue properly.

5. Resolve Lingering Issues

Don't let bad feelings fester and grow into resentment. When an issue comes up, work together to resolve it so that both sides can move on. Refrain from shutting out the other person or refusing to talk about a problematic issue. Both sides should be prepared to make compromises in order to resolve the trouble. The better you can settle things in a mutually agreeable fashion, the less chance there is of the issue springing up again further down the line.