Body language says a lot about you, your relationship, and how you feel about your partner. Research suggests that negative body language is easier to pick up on than positive.

The Frontiers in Psychology Journal suggests that positive emotions require stronger signals than negative ones when it comes to nonverbal flirtation. Basically, if you want to use body language to your benefit, be a little more obvious about it.

Since negative body language is so easy to pick up on, it's easy to see how body language mistakes can throw a lasso around your love life.

Are you sending the right message to your partner? Keep reading to find out if you've been making body language mistakes that are hurting your chances at love.

Not making eye-contact.

Eyes are the window to the soul - or so the saying goes.

Studies show that when you make eye-contact with someone, you start to build emotional intimacy. It creates chemistry with your partner and contributes to a happier relationship.

When you fail to maintain eye-contact with your spouse, they may start to think that you are:

· Uninterested in the relationship

· Socially awkward

· Hiding something

You don't want your partner thinking any of these things about you. Endeavor to hold your spouse's eye-contact, especially when they are speaking with you. Doing so will:

· Create a sense of intimacy

· Appear more personable

· Improve concentration

· Validate your spouse

· Create a sense of confidence

When you maintain eye contact with your partner, you strengthen your connection, so start practicing this good habit today.

Smiling at someone.

"How can smiling destroy my relationship?" you may wonder. "Isn't smiling the happiest expression you can do?"

You're absolutely right. Smiling is a fantastic way to indicate that you're happy and show your partner that you adore their company. But, if you're a bit of a flirt, smiling at the wrong person might land you in hot water with your spouse.

When it comes to nonverbal flirtation, research done by the Association for Behavior Analysis International puts smiling in the same flirty category as eye contact, laughter, and physical touch (Wade, J., June 6, 2018, (I Think) You Are Pretty: A Behavior Analytic Conceptualization of Flirtation).

Many people in committed relationships flirt harmlessly with others, but that doesn't mean flirting can't destroy your relationship. Constant flirting, especially when done in front of your spouse, can lead to low self-esteem and make your partner question your loyalty.

Obsessed with your phone.

Do you check your phone when your spouse is trying to talk to you?

Statistics show that 85% of smartphone users check their devices while speaking to loved ones (bankmycell.com, 2020). Why does this matter? Because your phone helps play a role in your relationship-destroying body language. Research indicates that such behavior contributes to lower relationship satisfaction (Roberts, J., Davis, M., January 2016, Computers in Human Behavior).

How you behave with your phone while around your crush says a lot about your relationship. Even if you don't mean anything by scrolling and swiping, playing on your phone may suggest to your partner that you have a lack of love and empathy for them.

Do your relationship a favor and throw your phone on silent when you're talking to your spouse. It will do wonders for your love life.

Being a 'close-talker.'

Being a close-talker is one of the quickest ways to end the first date fast.

Close-talking is no different than what it sounds - someone who stands way too close to you when they're talking.

This body language suggests that you don't respect your partner's personal space and that you're quick to dismiss boundaries.

Body language aside, close-talking is awkward and gross. There is nothing more off-putting than seeing saliva coming at you while someone is talking to you.

Confident or cocky? Keep your chin up!

Walking and talking with your chin up have long been a sign of confidence.

Confidence is great, especially when it comes to relationships. When you're confident, it means you know what you want, and you aren't afraid to go after it. Confidence allows you to date with ease, to embrace adventure, and is a part of self-love.

However, walking and talking with your chin up may also be a sign that you're a little too cocky for your own good.

Be careful that your tricky chin doesn't convey arrogance or defiance when you're trying to create a romantic connection. Nobody likes being looked down on.

Saying one thing but meaning another.

Do you have a habit of lying?

If so, it may be a quality that will doom your relationship.

Studies show that trust is important to a happy marriage. Couples who trust each other enjoy more joyful, more fulfilling relationships.

That being said, research shows that once trust is broken, it becomes extremely difficult to mend.

You may not be a liar, but your body language may be telling a different story. For example, if you say 'Yes' while shaking your head 'No,' it could indicate to your partner that you're untruthful.

Crossing your arms.

Crossing your arms is a big no-no in the world of romance as it indicates that you are closed off to other people.

Having a closed body is a nonverbal way of protecting or distancing yourself from others. After all, with closed arms, you can't hug, hold hands, or embrace.

Romance aside, crossing your arms also indicates hostility or anger and could put your partner on edge.

How you present yourself matters, so be aware of how your body language comes across to other people - especially those you love.

Avoiding eye-contact, obsessing over your phone, and not respecting your partner's personal space can be a major turn off. Whether you've just started dating someone and want to make the right impression or have been with someone for years, avoid making the common body language mistakes as mentioned above.

The post Common Body Language Mistakes That Destroy Relationships appeared first on FamilyToday.

After working hard all day, taking care of your family (if you have children), picking up your home, making meals, and personal care, how much time do you have left to spend with your spouse?

Probably just enough time to hang out on the couch, relax with a television show, and go to bed. Not very exciting, is it?

Relationships lose their luster when couples don't make each other a priority. When partners don't feel valued or desired, they become bored or depressed, which has a direct impact on relationship communication, intimacy, and satisfaction.

Don't let your relationship become a second banana to your other responsibilities. Schedule quality time with your spouse each week. The term 'scheduling' may not sound very romantic, but trust me, your relationship will thrive when you make time for a pre-planned date night.

Enhances romantic friendship.

Being in a relationship is about love, romance, and feelings of deep intimacy - That's all true. But relationships are also about fun and friendship.

When you are friends with your spouse, you have a balanced relationship because you're able to do things with them besides being romantic. You have hobbies and share interests with one another.

Partners who view their spouse as their best friend often report happier, more successful relationships.

Helps prevent divorce.

The National Marriage Project compiled research that pointed to an interesting and exciting result of having a regular date night with your spouse. Studies revealed that couples who regularly spent quality time together (at least once a month) had higher-quality relationships and lower divorce rates than those who did not.

A severe lack of a couple-time spells disaster for a marriage. For women who have a couple-time less than once a week, are reported to be four times more prone to divorce. Similarly, men were 2.5 times more likely to be divorce prone when they didn't get enough one-on-one time with their wives.

Builds emotional intimacy.

Emotional intimacy is the ability to feel safe and secure with your partner. It's the knowledge that you both have each other's backs, and have empathy for what the other is feeling.

Scheduling quality time with your partner allows you to build on emotional intimacy.

Strong emotional intimacy will make you more in-tune with your partner's feelings, but it also helps you set realistic expectations, deal with change more maturely, and boost respect.

Quality time improves your sex life.

Couples who don't spend enough quality time together lose out on emotional intimacy, and when emotional intimacy weakens, so does sexual intimacy.

When you take the time to put away your distractions and spend time alone, it bolsters physical intimacy, which can be very beneficial to your marriage.

Being regularly intimate with your spouse has been shown to promote marital satisfaction, reduce stress and anxiety, increase trust, and increase the likelihood of fidelity.

Learn how to communicate.

Couples who know how to communicate are on the right track to a happy, successful marriage.

The more quality time you spend with your partner, the deeper your connection will be. When you feel comfortable being vulnerable with your spouse, you're more likely to communicate your needs honestly.

Communication is essential because it helps us:
· Get to know each other better
· Avoid harmful triggers
· Resolve conflicts
· Enhance emotional intimacy
· Reduce misunderstandings

Helps you unwind.

One great thing about scheduling quality time in with your partner through a date night is that you get to control what type of date you're having.

Sometimes, you may be up for fun and adventure- heading to an amusement park, taking creative lessons, or going to a concert - while others can be a more lowkey, relaxing experience.

Quality time will help you unwind. Research shows that couples who spend quality time together experience higher levels of happiness and reduced stress.

Increases trust.

One surprising benefit of spending quality time with your partner is that it builds trust. When you make your relationship a priority, you are showing your partner that they are valued.

By repeatedly scheduling a date night, you show your spouse that:

· You are accountable
· You can be relied upon
· Their feelings and happiness matter to you
· They can trust that you will follow through on your promises

Keeps things interesting.

How many nights a week do you spend in front of the television with your spouse? If you're anything like the average couple, the answer is probably a lot!

Routine helps us feel grounded and centered in our lives, but it can also lead to boredom. This is where your weekly quality time date night comes into play.

One study assigned 53 married couples to engage in activities that were either exciting, pleasant, or were given no special activity for 1.5 hours, over ten weeks. The results found that those who participated in a new, exciting activity together scored higher for relationship satisfaction than any other group.

When you spend quality time with your spouse, don't be afraid to keep things interesting by taking a class together or trying new things.

The time that you spend with your partner is precious. Start showing that you appreciate your spouse by scheduling quality time together each week on a fun date night. This opens the door for great sex, healthy communication, and a stronger bond - all of which are needed to keep your marriage happy and healthy.

The post Why Couples Must Spend Quality Time Together appeared first on FamilyToday.