When you’re in love, it’s hard to imagine an ending—or sometimes, it’s not. Whether you currently feel as though you would die without your partner or you’ve entered a rough patch, you may be interested to know if your relationship is built to last. Here, 10 signs you’re on the right path with your beloved.
Built To Last
According to the Intimacy Index conducted by the Berman Center for Women's Health in Chicago, couples who "kiss regularly and spontaneously not only have a closer emotional connection than those who skimp on cuddling outside the bedroom, but also decreased levels of stress." According to another study, out of Oxford University, those who lock lips regularly are happier than those who don't (this has nothing to do with sex, by the way, so fear not if you're keeping it mostly PG as of late).
There is no correlation between relationship satisfaction and physical attractiveness, which is bad news for Gigi and Zayn but for the rest of us not exactly a depressing revelation.
We have to caveat this one, as we think you'd be hard-pressed to raise a family in Los Angeles on $75,000 a year. That said, the gist of the study is that income over a comfortable level doesn't impact the success of a relationship. In other words, as long as you can pay your bills, you don't need Teslas and private islands to be happy.
As an aside, research also claims relationships are more likely to last if the woman earns more than the man when the kids are young. We want to say something sexist about this, but we'll refrain.
You know those nice guys who think you hung the moon, are super easygoing and rarely cause conflict? The ones you shun in favor of dating narcissistic nightmares? Yeah, you should stop doing that. The biggest indicator that a relationship will last is whether or not you choose an agreeable partner.
According to a study from the University of Georgia, "Expression of gratitude was the most consistent significant predictor of marital quality." This one seems easy enough to integrate into a relationship, except of course for all those times your partner is driving you crazy and you feel anything but grateful for their slovenly ways, irritating personal tics or other such offenses.
According to one study, couples that shared their relationship experiences with other couples reported being happier with their significant others. This is likely because this type of bonding makes individuals feel less alone in whatever they're going through.
Apparently, short-term relationship happiness is found to be highest in people who are dissimilar from each other; however, in long-term relationships this flips and it's the ones who are most alike who report being most satisfied. So, if you're feeling a little meh about your boyfriend at four months, it could be a good sign for the future.
This one may be counterintuitive, but apparently butterflies after the first few dates are a sign of insecurity in the partnership or other anxieties.
According to research, couples were more likely to stay together if they maintained a positive outlook for their future through tough times. The minute partners stop believing things will be as good or better in the future is the moment at which they cease to put in the effort required to keep the relationship going.
Or, not. According to research, couples who share similar drinking habits are more likely to stay together than those who don't. So, if you like to down half a bottle of sauvignon blanc after work while your significant other googles "How can you tell if someone has a drinking problem?", you may not have great long-term potential.
