Falling in love is easy, but staying in love is the most difficult part! In the modern world, we seldom have time for each other. We are so busy balancing our work and life that we forget the importance of a healthy relationship. Couples often get into conflicts and finally end their relationship. But that is not the end of the dilemma; people go into depression, have a tough time coming in terms with life.
So what can you do to improve your relationship? The first thing one needs to do is change the perspective with which we see a relationship. However, this is not easy. You need a lot of motivation and support. You can find support from friends, family and even colleagues, but for motivation, it is best to pick up some books that teach you how to tackle your relationships and lead a happy life.
To get started, here are nine books that can work wonders and help you build a happy and strong relationship.
1. The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts
Written by Dr. Gary Chapman, this book deals with the most common relationship issues that today’s couples face. The author has identified five languages of love that people speak to show off their love towards their partners. They are – Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. In his book ‘The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts’, the author uses examples from his own life to illustrate his concepts. The author tells his readers how to keep their relationships going on amid demands, conflicts, and boredom. If you are having a troubled relationship, this book might be a life changer.
2. Deal Breakers: When to Work On a Relationship and When to Walk Away
“Deal Breakers: When to Work On a Relationship and When to Walk Away” deals with men who are emotionally unhealthy. It is about men who always complain about their partners being needy, overreacting or keep blaming their partners for everything. Both the partners need to put in a lot of efforts to make a relationship work, but of he refuses to work on it today, chances are he might never do it. According to Dr. Bethany Marshall, the author of this book, relationships are deals and women need to understand where what went wrong, what needs to be done in order to make it better, and when it is time to finally walk away. The author cites examples, deal breaker scenarios, case studies to help his readers understand where their relationships are going and also offers courses of action to make life happier.
3. Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples, 20th Anniversary Edition
This book by Harville Hendrix is truly life-changing because it helps couples understand why they picked their partners, even after they may seem the worst possible choice and even if they often trigger you. According to the author of “Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples”, it is about repeating patterns from your childhood. The author also suggests a number of exercises like eliminating negativities from daily conversations, etc. that couples can practice together to stay close to each other and make their relationship stronger. The book has helped numerous couples attain more loving, supportive, and deeply satisfying relationships. So what are you thinking, grab this book now!
4. Why Marriages Succeed or Fail: And How You Can Make Yours Last
Written by John Gottman, one of the most renowned and respected relationship researchers, the book guides you through figuring out what you are doing right and wrong within your marriage. The book is full of self-tests and straightforward advice that helps people identify their flaws and work upon them to make their relationships work. The concepts of “Why Marriages Succeed or Fail: And How You Can Make Yours Last” are backed by science, but it is very easy to understand. You can find a lot of practical exercises, tips, and techniques in the book that will help you turn those negative factors around.
5. The Bucket List for Couples
If you want to stay together till death, this is a must read for you. The purpose of this book is to help couples come up with a list of goals that they’d want to achieve together. Writing down the goals not only helps both the partners understand their individual priorities but there are high chances that they will work together towards achieving them. The book is divided into six categories – Travel, Adventure, Career & Finance, Relationships, Personal Development and Community and a personal space where you can place photos and write about personal experiences. Remember, the more time you spend together, the happier you will be as a couple and “The Bucket List for Couples”encourages you to do that. So get started with making your own list today!
6. The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship: A Toltec Wisdom Book
In his book, Don Miguel Ruiz unravels the fear-based beliefs and assumptions that lead to control, disrespect, and suffering. The author uses insightful stories to convey his message and teach the readers how to heal their emotional wounds, recover the freedom and joy that would lead them towards happiness. If you have been suffering a lot and cursing each other for your life, then “The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship: A Toltec Wisdom Book” can help you change your lives and become more respectful of each other.
7. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus
The #1 New York Times bestseller Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus is all about understand the opposite sex. Most conflicts arise because the partners fail to understand each other and don’t know how to communicate effectively. The author Dr. John Gray offers his readers with practical and proven ways to improve their communication by acknowledging the differences between their needs, desires, and behaviors. No other relationship guide will help you with improving your communication to help you strengthen and nurture your relationships and developing more satisfying relationships with their partners.
8. Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
Recommended by psychologists, they believe it to be the best antidote to the pain, distress, and hopelessness that couples often feel within their relationships. The book is based on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) founded by Sue Johnson a renowned clinical psychologist and researcher and the author of “Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love.” ETF, once a controversial topic is now supported by science and has been adopted by numerous therapists around the world. In this book, Dr. Sue discusses how to save and enrich a relationship and re-establish the emotional connection as well as preserve the attachment bond. She uses real-life case studies from her practice to support her advice and offers practical exercises to help couples nurture their relationships and make it even stronger.
9. Wolf Hall
Wolf Hall is one of the historical romance novels, with several twists that helped Hilary Mantel evolve as a first-class historical novelist. The book dates back to 1520s and the incidents take place in England. Written from the perspective of one of King Henry’s most trusted advisors, Wolf Hall deals with the wit, detail and imaginative leaps that feel effortless and true. Discussing the king and queen romancing and the dark and mysterious times of the 1500s is something that can bring the spark back within your relationship. Read the book together and see the mysterious unravel.
Conclusion
People fall in love very easily, but they fail to maintain their relationships. This happens because we fail to understand and communicate with each other. However, things can become better with little efforts from both the partners. Couples need to understand what is going wrong in their relationship and what needs to be done to improve it. The books recommended above will help you understand your partner, their desires and expectations and will also provide you with solutions to mend a troubled relationship. So instead of just giving up on your relationship, read the books see whether you can make your relationship work or not. Numerous couples have benefitted from these books, so why not give one more chance?
Author Bio
Korie Cantor is a writer who writes about living and lifestyle. She possesses a great sense of style and loves to share her thoughts about fashion and its latest trends. Follow her @koriecantor.
