7 Relationship Rules Actually Worth Following, According To Therapists

There’s no shortage of relationship advice out there. You hear it from friends and relatives, strangers on the internet, books, podcasts and TV shows. Sometimes there’s so much noise it’s hard to discern which tips are actually worth following and which might be better to ignore.

Of course, every partnership is different, and what works for one couple may not work for another. That said, therapists who specialize in couples’ issues have a good sense of which relationship guidelines tend to be widely beneficial.

We asked these therapists what relationship rules they believe in and why. Here’s what we learned:

1. Keep dating each other.

No matter what stage of the relationship you’re in, resist the urge to slip into autopilot. Instead, continue pursuing your partner, making a conscious effort to connect with them like you did in the early days.

That might mean making thoughtful gestures, like putting a cute note in their lunch bag, asking each other interesting questions to get to know each other on a deeper level or planning creative date activities.

“We often fall into a pattern of comfort, which leads to being stagnant in a relationship,”licensed professional counselor Priya Tahim of Kaur Counseling told HuffPost. “As humans, our need to evolve is inevitable. By dating your partner, you’re able to continue to grow not only as a couple but as individuals. This allows chemistry and intimacy to continue to evolve alongside the relationship.”

2. Stop comparing your relationship to others.

Comparison is a natural human tendency. Thinking from time to time about how your relationship stacks up against other couples in your orbit is normal. However, spending too much time comparing can be detrimental to your happiness and