How to be happy in your relationship

Couples often tell me they want to feel the way they did at the start. The good news is that happiness in a relationship is less about grand gestures and more about small, repeated choices.

Start with attention. Put the phone down when your partner talks, ask one more question than usual and notice what they are excited or worried about.

Then add appreciation. Say thank you for ordinary things. Research on positive psychology shows that couples who name what they value in each other weather conflict far better.

Finally, protect time together. A weekly walk or a slow breakfast does more for your bond than an expensive holiday once a year.