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"The biggest communication problem is that we don't listen to understand. We listen to reply."

Maybe you've heard of this, or even done this activity already. It was from a New York Times article a few years ago as part of a research study measuring how people fall in love. Not surprisingly that includes getting to know someone much more deeply and openly through, among other things, the sharing of feelings, opinions, dreams, and desires.

Relationship Therapy Activity

If you're in a relationship and haven't done the exercise below, give it a try! Just make sure you set up an environment that's conducive to a meaningful interaction: phones & tv off, without others around, while sober, and sitting near each other where you can make eye-contact. ...

The following are 10 things you can begin to do (or do more of) immediately in your relationship to increase closeness, harmony, and connection with your partner:

1. Provide empathy, not solutions

When she talks to you about a problem she's having, just listen. Resist the urge to offer advice. This can be extremely difficult for some men, as we naturally seek solutions for problems when we hear them, and of course we wish to help solve problems for the one we love. But, paradoxically, by doing nothing but listening with genuine interest, we're very much doing something!

2. Be more affectionate.

Basic acts of affection like holding hands, touching, hugging and kissing send ...

The following are 10 things the man in your life likely wishes you knew about him (and now that you know, how might you use this information to improve your relationship?):

1. Men would rather feel unloved than inadequate or disrespected.

Men need to know that their partners respect them both privately and publicly. Men thrive when they know that their wives or girlfriends trust them, admire them, and believe in them. Some research has even indicated that men would rather sense the loss of loving feelings from their partners than to feel a lack of respect from them.

2. A man's anger can be a response to feeling disrespected by his partner.

When ...

A necessary part of what is considered mature love is creating a safe space for your partner (male or female) to open up, express, be vulnerable, and ultimately connect with you during times of being upset with one another. We need our loved ones to trust that if they get triggered, we will work to sooth them, that we want to help them get calm again, and that they can rely on us to do our best to respond positively. This seems obvious and even easy to some but the subtleties of creating and sustaining this environment can be tricky.

Importance of Engaging With Your Partner

Many couples don't realize the importance ...