3 Unhealthy relationship habits to curb

Silent treatment

No one likes the silent treatment. It might feel justified, but refusing to answer to your partner about something that has upset you just makes things worse. Talk about it – don't sit in silence hoping he'll be the one to apologize first. Even if you think he deserves some good old fashioned silent treatment, it's always better to communicate what's on your mind.

If you're feeling particularly prone to silence, it's OK to take some time to cool off, but rather than simply ignoring your guy, tell him that you will be ready talk but you need some time to yourself first. That way, he knows where you stand and that you're not simply avoiding him.

Guessing games

No one knows what's going on inside your head except you, so don't assume your significant other can predict your every desire. If there's something you want to do or somewhere you want to go, tell him. Don't just pout when he guesses wrong. Communicate what you're feeling so you don't have to waste time waiting for him to read your mind.

Start small. If you're not used to making decisions or taking the lead, start with some of the smaller stuff like where you want to get drinks later or what you want for dinner. If you can start opening up more with the less important things, you'll quickly get better at avoiding guessing games with the more significant aspects of your relationship.

Holding grudges

Like the silent treatment, holding a grudge won't do your relationship any good. We're not suggesting you apologize for something you didn't do, or let him off the hook for something he should never have done, but rather than sit and stew for days, explain to him why you're upset and try to work through the issue, rather than letting the problem get worse the longer you hold a grudge. Try these quick grudge-busting tips:

• Don't fly off the handle. Instead, try to calmly explain why you're so upset. If he doesn't get it, try describing your feelings in a different way.
• Give him time to talk. Allowing him to explain his side of the story could help you see things from a new perspective.
• Talk to friends about what's bothering you so you can get some of your frustrations out before talking to your guy.
• Blow off some steam by hitting the gym or going for a long walk.

More relationship advice

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How to deal with conflicts in your marriage
How to make more time for each other