1. Listen: It is very important to be fully present in a conversation to make a relationship work. Listening is a skill, which requires many elements and to be an effective communicator, you need to learn to listen just as you need to learn to speak. Listening shows respect for the other and shows that you are interested in them as a person and what they have to say.
2. Kindness:  Be thoughtful and compassionate. Even if you’re having a bad day, show a little favour to the other person’s plight. Kindness to yourself and to others comes from a desire to support your own highest good and the highest good of others. It also involves care and consideration. It is a wonderful act to practice and a wonderful thing to receive.
3. Make time: Nothing shows a person that you care than you giving them time. Whatever you do, make sure you have time to talk and spend quality time together. Even if it’s going to the nearest grocery shop, have time for the individual and show you care with the small gestures.
4. Be mindful:  Always know how and when to approach a person. If that friend/family member is stressed offer him/her space before barraging them with questions. A healthy relationship grows when the two sides understand each other’s moods and how to go about it.Â
5. Handle conflicts: It’s okay to argue and disagree, but do it effectively. One way to do that is to empathize with others during a disagreement. Try and understand their situation and approach it with patience and understanding. Be open to their opinion, just like you’d want them to be open to yours.
6. Fight fair: Again, it’s not conflict that chips away at relationships; it’s how you approach conflict that causes problems. Address the subject and not the person, stay focused, don’t bring in old arguments, and seek compromise if you can’t resolve the issue. And very importantly, don’t bad mouth your loved ones.
7. Compromise: Sometimes bending is more important than standing your ground. All relationships require compromise. If you value your friendship, it won’t be so bad to give up on a few argument points if it means your relationship will continue.
8. Tend to the needs: If you value your relationship with someone, be sure to give it what it needs, time, compassion and love. Also, ask your loved ones if they need something, they might just be waiting for someone to care.
9. Give and take: Be aware of what you’re giving in a relationship and what you’re taking. That does not mean keeping a score, but having a healthy balance. You should be aware to not take too much that the other is left feeling used.
10. Be someone others want to be around: If you commonly nag, complain and dish out passive-aggressive comments, your relationships will suffer. Relationships blossom when you tend to them, truly listen and resolve conflict effectively. Be joyful and cherish the moments you spend together.
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