If, for some reason, you only had one month left to spend with the love of your life, how would you make the most of it? You’d likely do everything in your power to prioritize them, have meaningful conversations, initiate spending quality time with them, and make some unforgettable memories together.

​However, these are behaviors that should be ever-present, no matter how long you have together, which is hard to know. Many couples fall into the trap of complacency in their relationships. They settle into routines, let other things take priority, and allow their love life to sort itself out on autopilot.

One text left unanswered turns into missed calls, then into “I’ll get back to you when I have time,” until you come home one day, and it doesn’t feel like home anymore. Nothing bad happened, but everything good that kept you going just isn’t there anymore.

The best countermeasure to such complacency is actively working to make your relationship better than before. Research published in the Family Relations observed nearly 800 couples and examined the efforts each put into their marriage.

Researchers found that a husband’s satisfaction is higher when his wife puts in more effort, and a wife’s satisfaction is higher when her husband puts in more effort. So, effort from both sides boosts happiness and lowers the chances of thinking about

© Psychology Today