Stuck at the traffic lights? Is your honey at your side? Have a kiss. Every time!

That’s a micro-tip, but the much more serious and important point it’s part of is this: take every opportunity for a positive, loving interaction. Small is fine.

A recent study found that couples in thriving marriages have at least a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions. You need a lot of good stuff in the bank to offset the (inevitable) moments of tension, disagreement, criticism, tiredness and the energy required to work out hard stuff like communication and conflict.

So be nice as often as you can, please!

For more thought-provoking science on thriving relationships, check out this (very tall) marvellous info-graphic from Happify:

Do you have any microtips (or macrotips) for healthy relationships to share with us? Please comment below with anything you have observed to help. Committed relationships are hard work (as well as awesome) so we can all do with as much help as possible.

This is the third in an occasional series on little things that can make important relationships better. Check out part one here and part two here.

PS: Have you visited the Sacraparental Facebook page recently? It’s full of extra links, thoughts and resources – for instance the infographic above appeared there a few weeks ago – as well as alerts when there’s a new post here. Check it out and invite your mates if you like what you see.

PPS: I also have a ‘Marriage and Relationships’ Pinterest board you might like to follow if you’re that way inclined 🙂