EXCERPT:
No matter how well you get along, how much you have in common, how often you put time and care into your connection—all relationships go through ebbs and flows. And while you might not need therapy, adding new tools to your repertoire can strengthen your bond and bring you closer. One easy way to invest in your couplehood is to read the same advice book and then talk about it. We asked relationship therapists, experts and gurus, to recommend their top read to create healthier, happier duos in 2022.
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret To Love That Lasts by Dr. Gary Chapman
“This book is excellent in helping couples improve the quality of their relationship in many ways. Firstly, you can identify how you and your partner prefer giving and receiving love. These five love languages are acts of service, gifts, physical touch, quality time, and words of affirmation. This book is also beneficial because it emphasizes that each partner may need love differently than their significant other. And to not automatically give them love based on how they feel loved. By understanding and giving to one another through each partner’s main love language, there can be less likelihood of feeling unappreciated or disconnected from each other. I have found this book and its concepts to be very enlightening for couples to recognize how they have been giving love to each other may actually feel disappointing, confusing, or even cause anger if it’s not been in the ways that mean love to each other partner. When the partners start giving love in the way each one needs it, they can get on the same wavelength and strengthen their relationship by feeling heard, understood, and loved by each other.” — Dr. Yvonne Thomas, Ph.D., a Los Angeles-based psychologist.
Dr. Yvonne Thomas, Ph.D. is a psychologist in Los Angeles who offers relationship counseling. To read the full article “10 Books to Change Your Relationship, Recommended by Relationship Experts” visit weddingwire.com.