Make Up or Break Up -- With Less Stress!

Have you noticed how many high-profile couples have broken up recently? Last week I saw that both Christina Aguilera and Courtney Cox were seeing their marriages end, and it's been difficult to go a few days in a row without seeing Jenny McCarthy in the media talking about her break-up with Jim Carrey. Susan Sarandon is also doing quite a bit of talking about her 2009 split from Tim Robbins, her partner of 23 years, and last week I learned that two stars of one of my favorite shows, The Big Bang Theory, had been secretly dating for about two years, but have now broken up. People break up all the time, but it seems that there are many high-profile breakups in the news lately.

I suppose that this shouldn't come as a surprise -- maintaining a healthy, lasting relationship can be a challenge! It requires more than love, and more than commitment; it requires a set of skills (which need to be developed early on, or later learned by those who weren't born into families that could readily teach them), and a little luck. Fortunately, I can point you to both! Certain relationship skills have been shown to be very important in maintaining healthy, lasting relationships. For example, being able to handle conflict without tearing your partner down is a skill; communicating your needs and really listening to your partner's needs constitutes another important skill. Being able to laugh and have fun through life's difficulties is another very important skill. Below, you'll find resources you can use to strengthen your romantic relationships and all of your other relationships as well. (And if need them, keep scrolling for some great resources for handling the stress of a breakup!)

Relationship Skills For Easier "Make-Ups": Listening Skills You Need To HaveHealthy Communication SkillsConflict Resolution TechniquesConflict Resolution Mistakes To AvoidQUIZ: What's Your Conflict Resolution Style?

Stress Management Tips For Handling Break-Ups: Feel Better After a Break-UpWhat Not To Do After A Break-UpEssential Comforts for the Recently Split

What are your best relationship tips and break-up tips? Share 'em below!

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