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# Relationship Smart

Relationship advice backed by research and experts

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://relationshipsmart.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Why Talking to Strangers and Meeting New People Is Scary, and How to Do It Anyway](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/how-to-talk-to-strangers-and-meet-new-people-expert-q-and-a/) - Starting a conversation with a stranger “in the wild” can be overwhelming. Expert Alaina Provenzano, LCSW, recommends a mindset and a few baby steps to try.
- [What Is Emotional Regulation? Why It's Critical for Your Relationships](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-emotional-regulation/) - Emotional regulation is how you manage your feelings — and it shapes the quality of every relationship you have, from romantic to friendships to family.
- [17 Inclusive Children’s Books About Diverse Families](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/inclusive-childrens-books-about-diverse-families/) - From multiracial households to LGBTQ+ parents, these stories foster understanding and inclusivity, enhancing young readers' perspectives.
- [How Psychological Flexibility Can Make Your Relationships Better (& Why Inflexibility Can Be Harmful)](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-psychological-flexibility/) - Psychological flexibility is the ability to sit with difficult thoughts and still act on what matters. Research links it to better relationships.
- [Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): How It Can Improve Your Life & Relationships](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-act/) - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy where you learn to accept tough situations and feelings, rather than trying to escape them.
- [What’s Your Attachment Style? How Knowing It Can Help Your Relationships](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/whats-your-attachment-style/) - Knowing your attachment style can help you identify harmful behavior patterns in your relationships, understand why you have them, and find ways to change.
- [How Painful Sex from Vaginismus Is Connected to Anxiety and People Pleasing](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/how-painful-sex-from-vaginismus-is-connected-to-anxiety-and-people-pleasing/) - Researchers are digging deeper into the causes and treatments of painful sex in women. Mental health, culture, and relationship well-being can all play a role.
- [My 6 Takeaways from 'Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents' as a Therapist](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/my-takeaways-from-adult-children-of-emotionally-immature-parents-as-a-therapist/) - Adult children can spend years trying to make sense of an emotionally immature parent, their own feelings about this challenging person, and what to do.
- [What Is an Open Relationship? Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM) Explained](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/what-is-an-open-relationship-consensual-non-monogamy-explained/) - Definition Types How common is it? Why people choose it Who has open and CNM relationships? Benefits Common challenges people have in open and CNM relationships Does attachment style play a role? Further reading An open relationship is a type of romantic relationship between two people in which both agree that it’s OK to have
- [Friends with Benefits Relationship: Dos and Don’ts](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/friends-with-benefits-relationship-dos-and-donts/) - Expert Erin Davidson outlines why communication is so important in a friends with benefits relationship and how to do it right.
- [How to Be Friends with Benefits: Laying the Ground Rules](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/how-to-be-friends-with-benefits-laying-the-ground-rules/) - The number one rule of friends with benefits relationships? There aren't any. You're in charge of making agreements and setting boundaries. Here's how to do it.
- [Polyamory vs. Polygamy: Consent, Marriage, Power, and More](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/polyamory-vs-polygamy/) - Polyamory and polygamy both involve more than two romantic partners, but they're different when it comes to who has the power in the relationship.
- [How to Practice Ethical Non-Monogamy: 5 Tips](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-to-practice-ethical-non-monogamy/) - Being in a non-monogamous relationship requires boundary setting and plenty of communication, according to expert Erin Davidson.
- [Polyamory: A Primer on Sharing a Partner](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/sharing-a-partner-a-polyamory-primer/) - Polyamory is a form of non-monogamy that involves having multiple intimate relationships. Read on to learn more about this relationship style.
- [What Is Kama Muta? 'The Feels' Explained, with Examples](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-kama-muta/) - Kama muta is the emotional experience of being “touched,” or “moved to tears,” or having “the feels,” evoked by sudden surge in social closeness.
- [How to Make Friends as an Adult: Interview with Marisa G. Franco](https://relationshipsmart.com/friends/making-friends-as-an-adult/) - Making friends as an adult can be hard, but all it takes is a little effort (and bravery) shares Dr. Marisa G. Franco in this interview.
- [How Often Should You Talk in a Long-Distance Relationship?](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-often-should-you-talk-in-a-long-distance-relationship/) - Open and honest dialogue is key to finding the right communication frequency in a long-distance relationship. Find out how to get on the same page.
- [How to Use "Managing Up" to Advance Your Career: 8 Tips](https://relationshipsmart.com/work/how-to-use-managing-up-to-advance-your-career-8-tips/) - It's about providing real value to yourself, your boss, and your organization. Managing up can help you handle a difficult boss and get you promoted.
- [How Does Chronic Illness Impact Relationships? Plus, What to Do](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-does-chronic-illness-impact-relationships-plus-what-to-do/) - Discover how chronic illness reshapes love and connections, pushing relationships to new depths of understanding and empathy.
- [Your Partner’s Menstrual Cycle: Their Needs, Mood, and More](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/your-partners-menstrual-cycle-their-needs-mood-and-more/) - If your intimate partner has a menstrual cycle, you likely know when they’re on their period. But do you know what’s happening the rest of the time?
- [Which Country Is Most Narcissistic? You Might Be Surprised](https://relationshipsmart.com/society-culture/which-country-is-most-narcissistic/) - The United States is not the country with the highest rate of narcissism, new research has found.
- [What Is Self-Esteem? & How to Improve It for Better Relationships](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-self-esteem/) - Self-esteem is a complicated concept that has a big impact on your relationships and life satisfaction. Several types of therapy can improve it.
- [What Is Alloparenting? Raising Kids in a Community](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/what-is-alloparenting-raising-children-in-a-community/) - Alloparenting is when children receive care and guidance from adults around them beyond their parents. It can have benefits for everyone.
- [Alloparenting Benefits, How to Do It, and FAQs](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/alloparenting-benefits-and-tips/) - Having a community as a family can positively affect child development. When parents have the support of alloparents, it lessens their caregiving burden.
- [Best Beginner Dildo: 10 Options for Newbies + Other Fun Toys](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/best-beginner-dildo-options-for-newbies/) - Looking for the best beginner dildo? We’ve found the best 10. Our experts give you ideas on how to pick sex toys, how to use them and how to clean them.
- [What Is Breadcrumbing? 10 Signs It’s Happening to You](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/what-is-breadcrumbing-signs-its-happening-to-you/) - Being breadcrumbed isn't just a waste of your time. It can lead to real mental health issues. If you see these signs, it may be time to walk away.
- [4 Tips for Staying Emotionally Connected in a Long-Distance Relationship](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-to-stay-connected-in-a-long-distance-relationship/) - Learning how to stay emotionally connected in a long-distance relationship is key to making it work. We also share advice on how to create intimacy from afar.
- [5 Reasons People Cheat in Long-Distance Relationships](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/reasons-people-cheat-in-long-distance-relationships/) - If you’re wondering why people cheat in long distance relationships, here are 4 reasons: physical intimacy, poor communication, low self-esteem, and isolation.
- [3 Tips for Dating Someone Who Lives With Their Ex](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/dating-someone-who-lives-with-their-ex/) - If you’re dating someone who lives with their ex, there are 3 things experts recommend doing: be cautious, express your concerns, and trust your instincts.
- [Sexual Fluidity in Women and Men: What the Research Says](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/sexual-fluidity-in-women-and-men/) - Sexual fluidity is surprisingly common in men and women. It's influenced by many factors, including your biology and social situation.
- [What Do Women Fantasize About? 8 Common Sex Fantasies](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/what-do-women-fantasize-about/) - What do women fantasize about? Everything — but a few sex fantasies are incredibly common.
- [7 Top Male Sexual Fantasies: What the Research Says](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/top-male-sexual-fantasies/) - Having erotic fantasies is extremely common. But are men's and women's sexual fantasies different? Here's what the research says about top male sexual fantasies.
- [Love vs. Codependency: How to Trust Yourself](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/love-vs-codependency/) - It can be hard to tell a healthy loving relationship apart from codependency, especially if you're trying to avoid harmful old patterns. Here's what to know.
- [Codependency vs. Interdependency, and How to Make Healthier Connections](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/codependency-vs-interdependency/) - Learn how to shift from a codependent to an interdependent relationship through open communication, setting boundaries, and possibly therapy.
- [What Are Healthy Boundaries and How to Set Them](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-are-healthy-boundaries-and-how-to-set-them/) - Healthy boundaries enhance trust and self-care. Prioritize, be clear, and uphold your values. Learn how to set limits.
- [10 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Candy Lovers](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/best-gifts-for-candy-lovers/) - Discover unique gifts for candy lovers, from luxury treats to subscription boxes to candy-related ideas sure to delight!
- [Sexy Valentine's Day Gifts: 10 Spicy Ideas](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/sexy-valentine-day-gifts/) - Explore sexy Valentine's Day gifts to boost happiness and intimacy. Find unique ideas like X-rated coloring books and boudoir photo albums.
- [9 Best Kinky Valentine’s Gifts for Her, Him, and Them](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/kinky-valentines-gifts-for-her-him-and-them/) - Spice up Valentine's Day with a kinky gift! Explore exciting options like nipple clamps, wax candles, and games for her, him, and them.
- [What Is Emotional Abuse? Signs, Examples, & How to Respond](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-emotional-abuse/) - Emotional abuse is when one person purposely frightens or humiliates another in an effort to control, isolate, or punish them. It can be hard to detect.
- [What Is Fight-or-Flight? & How to Get Out of It](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-fight-or-flight/) - Fight-or-flight is a sudden, whole-body state of fear, vigilance, or readiness people experience when they perceive a threat or have traumatic memories.
- [What Is Compassion Fatigue? When Helping People Starts Feeling Bad](https://relationshipsmart.com/work/what-is-compassion-fatigue/) - Compassion fatigue is intense stress and burnout resulting from helping others over a long period of time. It often happens to people in helping professions.
- [What Is Compassion? Don't Call It 'Soft'](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-compassion/) - Compassion is caring about someone who’s suffering, plus a desire to help — even if you don't like them. It's not the same as kindness, empathy, or pity.
- [What Is Empathy? The Gift of Sharing Others' Emotions](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-empathy/) - Empathy feels like sharing someone else’s emotional state and understanding their perspective. It's a key driver of cooperation and positive relationships.
- [What Is Attachment in Relationships? Secure vs. Insecure](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-attachment/) - Attachment is the bond you formed with your parents or primary caregivers as an infant. Your attachment style can deeply affect your relationships as an adult.
- [What Is Authoritative Parenting? Setting Boundaries with Love](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/what-is-authoritative-parenting/) - Authoritative parenting is when a parent sets clear rules and maintains discipline and guidance while also giving their child lots of warmth and affection.
- [What Is Authoritarian Parenting? 'My Way or the Highway'](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/what-is-authoritarian-parenting/) - In authoritarian parenting, parents closely control their children’s behavior, but discourage open communication, and aren’t warm or emotionally responsive.
- [What Is Permissive Parenting? Lots of Love, No Boundaries](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/what-is-permissive-parenting/) - Permissive parenting is a parenting style in which parents or caregivers are warm and loving, but don’t set or enforce many rules or boundaries for their child.
- [What Is Secondary Trauma? Who Gets It, Symptoms, and More](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-secondary-trauma/) - Secondary trauma is a negative reaction, often similar to PTSD, that can happen in anyone upon learning about traumatic experiences of others.
- [What Is Stockholm Syndrome? Defending the Perpetrator](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-stockholm-syndrome/) - Stockholm syndrome is when a person who has been abused develops an emotional attachment and sometimes positive feelings toward the person who abused them.
- [ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences): Childhood Trauma Factors, Explained](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-are-adverse-childhood-experiences-aces/) - Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events in childhood that can lead to long-term negative effects on health and well-being.
- [What Is Trauma? Causes, Childhood Trauma, and More](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-trauma/) - Trauma is experiencing one or more intensely disturbing or threatening events that lead to long-lasting negative changes in how you act, think, or feel.
- [What Is Trauma Dumping? Why It Can Be Harmful](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-trauma-dumping/) - Trauma dumping is when one person shares a story about a traumatic situation they went through without consent from or consideration for the listener.
- [What Is Inner Child Work? Reparenting Yourself for Better Well-Being](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-inner-child-work/) - In inner child work, the patient learns to talk their own inner child through painful childhood memories and harmful core beliefs with kindness and compassion.
- [What Is Oxytocin? The Love Hormone, Explained](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-oxytocin/) - Oxytocin is a hormone that can make us feel good around other people, but its effects are complicated. It's involved in love, sex, social bonding, and more.
- [Codependency in Relationships: Meaning, Signs, Stages, and More](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/codependency-in-relationships-meaning-signs-stages-and-more/) - Codependency in relationships feels like you're lose yourself serving the needs of others. It's incredibly common, but can be hard to detect when you're in it.
- [What Is Generational Trauma? Causes and How to Stop It](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/what-is-generational-trauma-causes-transmission-and-more/) - Generational trauma is trauma that's passed down from parents to children. It can continue to be passed down from generation to generation.
- [What Is Chosen Family? Definition and Basics](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/what-is-chosen-family-definition-and-basics/) - A “chosen family” is a group of people who are close by choice, operating together as a family, but without biological or legal connections.
- [How to Heal From A Toxic Relationship & 7 Signs You’re in One](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-to-heal-from-a-toxic-relationship/) - After a toxic partnership, you might still experience fear, distrust, or self-doubt. But building a healthy relationship with the right person is possible.
- [How to Find Your Chosen Family: Q&A with Dawn O. Braithwaite](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/how-to-find-your-chosen-family-interview-with-dawn-o-braithwaite/) - Dr. Dawn O. Braithwaite talks about the concept of chosen family, what makes one, where to find yours, and why it’s important to use your language carefully.
- [I Was Stalked for 10 Years. Here's How I Regained a Sense of Safety](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/i-was-stalked-for-years-how-i-regained-a-sense-of-safety/) - From the time I was 13 until I was 22, I was stalked. Usually people know the identity of their harasser. In my case, it remained a mystery until much later.
- [How to Break the Cycle of Generational Trauma: Expert Q&A](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/how-to-stop-generational-trauma/) - You can short-circuit generational trauma so it doesn't run your life or pass on to your kids, but it requires a lot of courage, self-reflection, and work.
- [Listening to Your Partner’s Feelings: 5 Ways to Show Empathy](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-to-listen-to-your-partners-feelings-2/) - Being empathetic toward your partner starts with active listening and making an effort to put yourself in their shoes. Read more about cultivating empathy.
- [7 Ways Childhood Trauma Can Affect Your Relationships](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/ways-childhood-trauma-can-affect-your-relationships/) - Difficulty asking for help, being socially withdrawn can all stem from the effects of childhood trauma. Find out how else trauma can manifest in adulthood.
- [6 Takeaways from It’s Not You by Ramani Durvasula](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/takeaways-from-its-not-you-by-ramani-durvasula/) - It’s Not You is a guide for those overshadowed by a person with narcissism, exploring how to let go of self-blame and reframe the way you see the relationship.
- [What Is Most Important to a Man in a Relationship?](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/what-is-most-important-to-a-man-in-a-relationship/) - Expert Melody Phu covers the things men value most including time alone, trust, open communication, and affirmation.
- [4 Relationship Issues Men Often Have and How to Handle Them](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/relationship-issues-for-men-and-tips/) - My clients who identify as men have a few issues in common — like difficulty expressing their needs. These tips can help.
- [Relationship Advice for Men: Where to Start](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/relationship-advice-for-men/) - Good communication can keep your relationship strong. But how? Here are some issues my clients face and how to handle them.
- [Why Self-Compassion Is Key for Your Relationships: Interview with Kristin Neff](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/why-self-compassion-is-key-for-your-relationships-expert/) - Learning to be more self-compassionate can help you and your relationships in some surprising ways, explains expert Kristin Neff.
- [Why Making 'Willing Sacrifices' in a Relationship Is Essential](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/why-making-willing-sacrifices-in-a-relationship-is-essential/) - Healthy relationships involve compromise. Relationship therapist Erin Davidson outlines how to compromise without fueling resentment.
- [Why Scheduling Intimacy is Important: The Myth of Spontaneous Sex](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/why-scheduling-intimacy-is-important/) - Anticipation can help spark desire. Sex therapist Erin Davidson outlines the benefits of penciling in sexy time.
- [You’re Not Responsible for Your Partner’s Sexual Satisfaction](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/youre-not-responsible-for-your-partners-sexual-satisfaction/) - The only desire you're responsible for is your own. Sex therapist Erin Davidson explains how to cope with a libido discrepancy.
- [Do Friends With Benefits Talk Every Day?](https://relationshipsmart.com/friends/do-friends-with-benefits-talk-every-day/) - Whether you communicate daily depends on what you've agreed on. Communicating your needs is key.
- [How to Ask Someone to be Friends With Benefits](https://relationshipsmart.com/friends/how-to-ask-someone-to-be-friends-with-benefits/) - Be honest about how you feel and what you want from the other person. Here's how to create clear relationship boundaries.
- [How to Attract Friends: 6 Tips for Making New Friendships](https://relationshipsmart.com/friends/how-to-attract-friends-tips/) - Friends won't magically come to you out of nowhere. You need to put yourself out there. Here's how to do it.
- [My Friend Is in a Toxic Relationship But Won't Leave: 4 Tips](https://relationshipsmart.com/friends/my-friend-is-in-a-toxic-relationship-but-wont-leave-4-tips/) - Consider sharing your feelings about the situation in a calm, compassionate manner. But know that they have the final say in what happens next.
- [This is What a Toxic Relationship Feels Like: 4 Signs](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/this-is-what-a-toxic-relationship-feels-like-signs-youre-in-one/) - The signs may vary depending on the situation. But one major red flag is if your partner is controlling or makes you feel bad about yourself.
- [3 Tips for Healthy Conflict Resolution in Relationships](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/tips-for-healthy-conflict-resolution-in-relationships/) - Having conflict doesn't mean your relationship is doomed. Solving issues together and finding common ground is key.
- [6 Tips for a Healthy Relationship: Manage Conflict and More](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/tips-for-a-healthy-relationship/) - Knowing your own triggers and setting boundaries is key to preventing and dealing with conflict.
- [How Do I Know It's Time to Break Up?](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-do-i-know-its-time-to-break-up/) - You are the only person who knows if breaking up is the right decision. Here are some prompts to help guide you in your decision.
- [5 Top Relationship Questions I Get Asked as a Therapist (and My Answers)](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/top-relationship-questions-i-get-asked-as-a-therapist/) - The biggest worries for people in relationships have to do with sex, division of labor, and communication. Let's
- [How "Core Negative Image" Work Can Improve Your Relationship](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-core-negative-image-work-can-improve-your-relationship/) - The "Core Negative Image" (CNI) is a powerful relationship tool you can use to talk with your partner about your worst versions of each other. It can be a game changer.
- [5 Losing and 5 Winning Relationship Strategies](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/losing-and-winning-relationship-strategies/) - Could your response to conflict be hurting your relationship? Learn what losing strategies look like and skills to practice to foster understanding and connection between you and your partner.
- [8 Signs That Couples Therapy Is Making Your Life Better](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/signs-that-couples-therapy-is-making-your-life-better/) - If you said "healthy boundaries," you're right! But do you know the other ways to tell your hard work at couples therapy is paying off?
- [How Reparenting Your Inner Child Helps Your Relationship](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-reparenting-your-inner-child-can-help-your-relationship/) - Some of the most powerful times of transformation — personally and in your relationship — can come when you connect with the hurt child parts inside of you.
- [How to Be a Better Communicator Using the Feedback Wheel](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-to-be-a-better-communicator-using-the-feedback-wheel/) - Learn to use the Feedback Wheel to navigate difficult conversations with your partner and be a better communicator. Hint: It's not about who's "right."
- [Why Taking Time Outs is the Most Important Skill for Couples](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/why-taking-time-outs-is-the-most-important-skill-for-couples/) - Our partners can trigger us. If that feels like an understatement, you’re not alone. People often choose partners who hit their sensitive spots.
- [Burnt Out from Dating? 4 Healthier Ways to Look for Love](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/dating-burnout-healthier-ways-to-look-for-love/) - Dating to help yourself feel better can lead to decisions you regret later. Instead, expert Erin Davidson recommends ways to stay true to yourself.
- [How to Talk About Sex with a Partner: Before, During, and After](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/how-to-talk-about-sex-with-a-partner/) - Sharing vulnerable emotions during sex may feel risky, but taking these risks together is exactly what can increase sexual desire and intimacy.
- [Is Purity Culture Negatively Impacting Your Sex Life?](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/is-purity-culture-negatively-impacting-your-sex-life/) - Growing up, purity culture wasn’t just a belief system. It was the air I breathed. But as I grew older, I began to question what I had been taught about sex.
- [Why Jealousy Isn’t Always a Bad Thing & How to Harness It](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/why-jealousy-isnt-always-a-bad-thing/) - People associate jealousy with insecurity and possessiveness. But what if you could harness it to learn more about yourself and improve your relationships?
- [5 Takeaways from All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/takeaways-from-all-the-way-to-the-river-by-elizabeth-gilbert/) - Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir All the Way to the River: Love, Loss and Liberation details what happens if you stop running from yourself.
- [14 Best Lesbian Romance Novels: Literary, Genre, and Steamy](https://relationshipsmart.com/sex/best-lesbian-romance-novels/) - We’ve scoured the internet and our friends’ brains for the best lesbian romance novels in literary and genre fiction that are actually worth the read.
- [What Are Your Love Languages? & What the Research Says](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/what-are-love-languages-and-what-the-research-says/) - Chapman's theory of love languages isn’t backed by research, but it may still help relationships as a tool to express how we want to love and be loved.
- [How to Deal with Weaponized Incompetence in Your Relationship: Expert Q&A](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-to-deal-with-weaponized-incompetence-in-your-relationship-expert-qa/) - Psychologist and couples therapist Bevin Campbell answers questions about weaponized incompetence in relationships and how to deal with it.
- [14 Books for Better Conflict Resolution in Your Love, Family, and Work Relationships](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/books-for-better-conflict-resolution/) - Conflict resolution is key to healthy relationships. Here are our top books on how to manage it with an intimate partner, family members, and work colleagues.
- [7 Peaceful Tips for Dealing with Neighborhood Bullying](https://relationshipsmart.com/friends/tips-for-dealing-with-neighborhood-bullying/) - Whatever you do, don't give them the satisfaction of fighting back. Here are a few methods for how to take the high road, recommended by experts.
- [Which Parenting Style Is Most Encouraged in Modern America?](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/which-parenting-style-is-most-encouraged-in-modern-america/) - Think strict parenting gets the best results? Nope. Here's why experts recommend authoritative (not authoritarian) parenting.
- [9 First Date Flirting Tips, Backed by Research](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/first-date-flirting-tips-backed-by-research/) - Flirting can be super subtle. The tactics you choose may depend on your and your dates gender(s) and whether you're looking for a fling or longer term love.
- [Mindfulness and Relationships: Expert Q&A with Ellen Langer](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/mindfulness-and-relationships-interview-with-ellen-langer/) - Harvard mindfulness expert Ellen Langer talks about why mindfulness is a powerful way to improve your relationships, and how to harness it.
- [5 Signs of a Backhanded Compliment and How to Respond](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/signs-of-a-backhanded-compliment-and-how-to-respond/) - A backhanded compliment can include a comparison to a negative standard, false positivity, and not-so-kind intentions. It can leave you feeling bad or weird.
- [Don’t Ghost: Here’s a Better Way to End It With Someone](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/dont-ghost-heres-a-better-way-to-end-it-with-someone/) - When you ghost instead of breaking up with someone directly, you might do it to spare the other’s feelings. But there are long-term rewards for not ghosting.
- [What Is DARVO? Examples, Tips, and Signs of Manipulation](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/what-is-darvo/) - DARVO is a technique some people use to shift the blame onto others after they've been abusive. Learn how to identify DARVO tactics and more.
- [What Is Narcissism? Signs, Examples, & Causes](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-narcissism/) - In pop culture, “narcissist” means someone who's insensitive, entitled, and arrogant. But in some people, narcissism is actually a diagnosable personality disorder.
- [Are You in a Relationship With a Narcissist? Signs & What to Do](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/are-you-in-a-relationship-with-a-narcissist/) - A relationship with someone who has narcissistic tendencies can be hurtful, confusing, and hard to leave. Here are their common patterns and how to get out.
- [What Is Codependency? Codependent Relationships, Explained](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-codependency-codependent-relationships-explained/) - Codependent relationships can be harmful over time, leading to low self-esteem, depression, and feeling like you're losing yourself to serve another person.
- [11 Mother’s Day Gifts That Make Mom’s Life Easier](https://relationshipsmart.com/shop/mothers-day-gifts-to-make-moms-life-easier/) - Gifts to honor just how many hats she wears every day — and help take the load off. Plus a few treats just for fun.
- [Are You the Caretaker in a Codependent Relationship?](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/are-you-the-caretaker-in-a-codependent-relationship/) - Being in a relationship requires some give and take. If you tend to give more than you receive, you might be enabling a codependent relationship.
- [How Your Childhood Shapes Your Attachment Style: Expert Q&A](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/how-childhood-shapes-your-attachment-style-expert-qa/) - Katie Tsitaridis talks about attachment styles, their origins, and how understanding yours can help you improve your relationships.
- [What Is Emotional Safety and How to Create It in Your Relationships](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/what-is-emotional-safety-and-how-to-create-it-in-your-relationships/) - You can foster emotional safety in your relationship by getting vulnerable, using nonviolent communication, and more.
- [How to Stand Up to a Bully at Work: 5 Tips](https://relationshipsmart.com/work/how-to-stand-up-to-a-bully-at-work/) - Standing up to a bully at work might feel impossible. But tactics like simply asking them to stop or putting concerns in writing might help curb the behavior.
- [How to Deal with Difficult Family Members During the Holidays](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/how-to-deal-with-difficult-family-members-during-the-holidays/) - Dealing with difficult family members during the holidays is all about getting uncomfortable, says expert Caleb Birkhoff. Read more in our interview.
- [Feeling Disconnected: AI, Social Isolation, Block Parties, and Health](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/expert-interview-yusuf-ransome-social-isolation-block-parties-and-your-health/) - We spoke with Yale expert Yusuf Ransome about social isolation and its effects on health — for individuals, neighborhoods, and society.
- [10 Principles of Emotional Responsibility I’m Teaching My Kids](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/principles-of-emotional-responsibility-im-teaching-my-kids/) - When one person blames another for their own feelings or behavior, it’s unjust and can lead to conflict. Here’s how I teach my kids how to "stay in your lane."
- [What Is Co-Regulation? Definition and Tips](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/what-is-co-regulation/) - Making calm eye contact, hugging, speaking in a warm tone of voice, and modelling emotional regulation are all ways you can co-regulate your child, partner, or another adult.
- [7 Best Steamy Historical Romance Novels](https://relationshipsmart.com/shop/best-steamy-historical-romance-novels/) - Discover the steamiest historical romance novels that blend rich historical detail with sweeping love stories. Check out our curated list.
- [Gossip Definition: What Is It and How to Manage](https://relationshipsmart.com/friends/gossip-definition-and-tips/) - Gossiping might seem fun in the moment, but it can hurt feelings and make it harder to build trust. Here's how to avoid harmful gossip.
- [29 Super-Fun Family Board Games to Pull Out Over the Holidays](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/super-fun-family-board-games/) - Family board games are a recipe for fun — and a welcome alternative to screens. Our favorites are immersive, action-packed, and/or hilarious for everyone.
- [How to Get a Bully to Leave You Alone: 5 Tips](https://relationshipsmart.com/friends/how-to-get-a-bully-to-leave-you-alone/) - Yes, bullying can happen even in adulthood. Dealing with a bully can be challenging, but it's possible. Creating boundaries and protecting your emotions are an important part of stopping bullying.
- [Free Valentine’s Day Gifts: 10 No-Spend Ideas](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/free-and-cheap-valentines-day-gifts/) - Ideas for everyone, whether or not you intend on spending money this Valentine's Day.
- [How to Stop Overexplaining Yourself: 5 Things to Do Instead](https://relationshipsmart.com/friends/how-to-stop-overexplaining-yourself-5-things-to-do-instead/) - It can be a trauma response you developed, likely in childhood, in a situation where you were used to avoiding conflict.
- [What Is Gaslighting? Examples and How to Protect Yourself](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-gaslighting/) - What Is gaslighting? It’s emotional abuse that manipulates someone into questioning their reality. It can lead to a reliance on the gaslighter.
- [24 Gay-Friendly First Date Ideas for a Safe, Fun Time](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/gay-first-date-ideas/) - Gay first date ideas to help you make meaningful connections and find that spark — for gay men, lesbians, and all queer people.
- [Reading Literary Fiction May Make You More Emotionally Intelligent](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/reading-literary-fiction-may-make-you-more-emotionally-intelligent/) - But popular fiction may not have the same benefits.
- [14 Board Games for Couples: Game Night, Travel, Spicy, & More](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/board-games-for-couples/) - Board games for couples are a way to bring fun back into your relationship. They’re like fun-containing supplements you can take when you're running low.
- [The Best Online Couples Therapy of 2025](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/best-online-couples-therapy/) - Couple’s therapy can help you find a way forward with your partner when issues feel insurmountable. And online therapy can be just as effective as in-person.
- [What’s the Link Between Codependency and Alcoholism?](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/whats-the-link-between-codependency-and-alcoholism/) - People with alcohol use disorder are more likely to be in copedent relationships. But not every relationship involving alcoholism is copdendent.
- [What Is a Backhanded Compliment? Definition and Basics](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/what-is-a-backhanded-compliment-definition-and-basics/) - A backhanded compliment is a way for the compliment giver to seem nice to the receiver but also subtly undercut them. There's always an insult buried in it.
- [8 Creative Gifts For Working Moms (By a Working Mom)](https://relationshipsmart.com/shop/creative-gifts-for-working-moms/) - The best gifts I’ve received were thoughtful, creative, and showed me that my family valued all parts of me. Here are a few of my top picks.
- [Gift Ideas for Your Sweetheart: 50 Romantic picks](https://relationshipsmart.com/shop/gift-ideas-for-your-sweetheart/) - Whether you decide to gift your sweetheart something classic or an experience, remember that it's the thought that counts.
- [9 Neat Father's Day Gifts Nerdy Dads Will Love](https://relationshipsmart.com/shop/fathers-day-gifts-for-nerdy-dads/) - Nerdy gift options to show dad you were paying attention when he showed you his niche interest, and you love him for it. Games, books, gadgets, and more.
- [Can a Codependent Relationship Be Saved?](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/can-a-codependent-relationship-be-saved/) - Each relationship is different. But working on your codependent tendencies may help save your relationship.
- [How to Manage a Long-Distance Break-Up](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-to-manage-a-long-distance-break-up/) - Breaking up is hard to do. And there's no right way to do it. Relationship experts share their advice for identifying when it's time to call it quits and tips for how to manage the conversation.
- [Your Co-Parent’s Bad Boss May Impact You More Than You Think](https://relationshipsmart.com/work/your-co-parents-bad-boss-may-impact-you-more-than-you-think/) - A study found a person’s feelings about their boss seemed to have a major knock-on effect on their co-parent, affecting their performance at work and with the kids.
- [What Kills Long-Distance Relationships? Plus What to Do](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/what-kills-long-distance-relationships/) - Long distance relationships can be fulfiling, but these common problems spell trouble, according to relationship therapist Jaime Bronstein.
- [How to Prep For Your First Marriage Counseling Session](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-to-prep-for-your-first-marriage-counseling-session/) - Marriage counseling isn't just for couples having problems. Discussing expectations with your partner beforehand can help you get the most out of your therapy sessions.
- [What Are Unhealthy Boundaries? 4 Examples](https://relationshipsmart.com/family/what-are-unhealthy-boundaries/) - Unhealthy boundaries can take a toll on your mental health and relationships. Creating healthy ones can prevent stress and resentment. Learn how.
- [How to Have a Good Long-Distance Relationship](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-to-have-a-good-long-distance-relationship/) - Like any relationship, long-distance requires a combination of clear expectations and intention, and fun.
- [The 20 Best Travel Games for Couples](https://relationshipsmart.com/shop/best-travel-games-for-couples/) - Travel-specific games and conversation starters can help you and your partner pass the time and lighten the mood when you're on the move.
- [Colleagues May Want Your Feedback More Than You Think](https://relationshipsmart.com/relationships/colleagues-may-want-your-feedback-at-work-more-than-you-think/) - People want constructive feedback, but, curiously, they underestimate just how much other people want it, too, according to research.
- [20 Best Phone Games for Couples](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/best-phone-games-for-couples/) - The best mobile games for beefing up your relationships are ones that help facilitate deeper connections and maintain the fun factor.
- [How Couples Therapy Works](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/how-couples-therapy-works/) - Couples therapy will probably involve some tough moments. But it might involve happy, playful moments, too.
- ['We're Not Really Strangers' Card Game Review](https://relationshipsmart.com/friends/were-not-really-strangers-card-game-review/) - We're Not Really Strangers is a great way to create deeper connection, as long as you're willing to put in the work.
- [When Looking Fancy Might Not Be Favorable](https://relationshipsmart.com/work/when-looking-fancy-might-not-be-favorable/) - New research reveals that people may choose to avoid wearing luxury brands when they want to convince others they can collaborate well on a team.
- [6 Things to Talk About in a Long-Distance Relationship](https://relationshipsmart.com/love/6-things-to-talk-about-in-a-long-distance-relationship/) - Talking about future plans and shared interests can help you strengthen your long-distance relationship. Here's how to do it.

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