Managing conflict with humour

They say laughter is the best medicine, and within a relationship, this is certainly true.  Laughter relieves stress and makes you feel happier.

There are many benefits to including humour in your relationship.  It helps you to form a stronger bond with someone and binds you together. 

If there is tension in a relationship, maybe after a disagreement, a well-timed joke can ease the atmosphere and help resolve the situation.

Sometimes, it’s about putting things into perspective and a bit of light humour can help you realise things are not as bad as they first seemed.

Remember the humour can be a positive and negative tool, so be careful.  Making snide remarks and then saying someone cannot take a joke can cause even more issues and hurt a relationship. This is true when telling a joke, both parties have to be in on the joke.

Signs of a Healthy Relationship

Dating can be a huge labyrinth of feelings, emotions, ups and downs. Things always start out great, you get high on love and fall into the ‘Honeymoon’ stage of the relationship where you feel a deep love and see each other through rose coloured glasses, but, at some point that initial ‘puppy love’ stage, which can last different durations for each individual, ends and the real relationship begins. If you are wondering if the relationship you are in, is a healthy one, regardless of what part of the relationship you are in, here are a few indicators:

• Honesty- you and your partner are honest about future goals and wants
• Trust- you both feel you can discuss anything, the good and the bad
• Identity- you both keep a healthy individual identity
• Support- you support each other’s interests and goals
• Respect- even when you disagree, you respect the other’s opinion
• Teamwork- you both contribute to the relationship and responsibilities

If you have all of these with your partner, chances are, you are in a healthy relationship.

10 Out-of-the-Box Date Ideas

Dating amidst a pandemic, lockdowns and safety restrictions has really been a complicated and turbulent time for those seeking love. After such a long time with not being able to go out to a restaurant for a date, that may be quite exciting for you, once this is again a possibility. But for those thrill-seekers that have been cooped up too long, a restaurant may not cut it. Most venues may not be open at the moment but many places have been adapting to accommodate COVID-safety requirements and will be open hopefully later this year.

10 Out-of-the-Box Date Ideas

1. Go ice skating
2. Go for a hike in a beautiful location
3. Go do a high ropes course
4. Go ziplining
5. Go rock climbing
6. Go to a zoo or aquarium
7. Go to an indoor trampoline park
8. Go to an escape room
9. Visit a local landmark like a castle or cathedral
10. Head to the closest beach, regardless of weather

Top 3 tips for your dating profile

Dating in a modern world is a complete game-changer, long gone are the days you would be introduced to a friend of a friend and wound up married ten years later, more and more people are starting their relationships via online dating apps. With so many users choosing to use online dating websites or apps the competition is fierce. The first thing a potential partner will see if your dating profile so its important that your profile is funny, insightful, and unique because if it isn’t this could put off potential love interest. We have put together a list of our top 3 dating profile tips.

1. A photo speaks a thousand words – it really does. Avoid any cliché photos. ensure its clear who you are, a solo photo is best. Make sure your photo is high quality, grainy photos are off-putting.

2. Avoid any negatives – when filling in the about you this is really like a CV for your life. Negative statements can give wrong impressions. Everyone has dislikes but listing 30 of those can appear very fussy.

3. Check your grammar and spelling – slang words, incorrect spellings, and poor punctuation will be picked up and could lose you a date.

5 Top Speed Dating Tips

Speed dating is quick, but it’s not a race. It’s timed, but not a competition. There are rules but no medals. So how do you win at speed dating? Can you win? Yes. You can always win – and I’m not just saying that because I’m exceptionally competitive.

When it comes to speed dating I reckon a win is a match. It’s an exchange of numbers, a phone call, and a second date. Or maybe a win is an evening spent enjoying the company of fresh faces. The funny dates, the weird dates, the nerdy dates, the hot dates – they all make for a jolly night of laughs and perhaps a cheeky kiss. But for those of you who have set your sights on a match, I’ve put together a sure-fire 5 step guide to winning at speed dating.

Continue reading “5 Top Speed Dating Tips”

Top 10 Dating Tips for Men by Women

  1. First impressions are always important
    Your ripped jeans may be lucky, but remember, this will be the first impression your date gets of you. Yes, you should never pretend to be someone that you’re not, but a girl might like to see that you take pride in your appearance. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you need to wear a full tuxedo, but having a shower, a shave and putting on something suitable will help you impress your date and get you off to a good start. Now all you have to worry about is turning up on time.
  2. Make date plans for somewhere you’ll feel comfortable
    Dating can be a daunting experience. If she’s asked you to pick somewhere, help cut through those nerves by arranging to meet up in familiar territory. This will help make you feel more comfortable. Although, maybe avoid your normal Saturday night pub, as bumping into your mates could be a little distracting on your date.
  3. Be confident
    Across the board, confidence is attractive – enthusiasm will make you shine. If you’re a little shy, practice beforehand by talking to people you don’t know. Or, whilst on the date, pick a subject that you’re enthusiastic about, such as a hobby. She will sense your confidence as you talk passionately about it. Many people may also be shy about their appearance. You may not be 6ft tall with a six-pack, but it’s more attractive to a woman to show that you’re comfortable in your own skin and happy being you.
  4. Don’t do all the talking
    On your date, make sure you don’t do all the talking. If this date goes well, there will be lots more opportunities to share your stories in the future. Don’t be scared of pauses and help mix up the conversation by asking your date questions. Listening is important, as it shows that you are interested in what she has to say.
  5. Keep the conversation fun
    Try to keep your conversation light-hearted. On your first date, you don’t want to get into an in-depth conversation about why you don’t enjoy your job, or other issues you’ve been having. Yes you do have to be serious sometimes, but in the early stages of dating, have some fun.
  6. Avoid the ‘ex’ conversation
    Talking about your ex is dangerous territory. It’s best to stay away from the conversation altogether. It’s unlikely that your date will be interested and it can make things feel awkward between you. If your date does bring up the subject, try to keep answers short (without appearing suspicious). Reassure her that your past is history and that you want to spend your time getting to know her instead.
  7. Turn off your phone
    There’s nothing more annoying than phones ringing whilst trying to spend quality time out with friends, and it’s just as irritating on a date. Don’t just put it on silent or vibrate, as you can still become distracted. Turn your phone off completely. If she knows that you’ve turned your phone off to focus entirely on the date, she’ll appreciate you’re taking the time to engage with her fully.
  8. Share the bill
    Whether you’re dating a feminist or not, most women will assume that they are paying for their share of the bill. It may be worth letting her know towards the beginning of your date, just so you’re both on the same page. In the early stages of dating, you want her to be spending time with you because she likes you, rather than because she thinks she owes you something.
  9. Follow up correctly
    If you don’t want a second date, don’t say you’ll call her. You’ll end up feeling bad and she might feel hurt. Just say, “I had a great time tonight”. If you do want to see her again, don’t play games. Yes, in films they always leave it a couple of days to contact each other, but this is real life. If you don’t contact her within a couple of days, you’ll seem like you couldn’t be bothered, or didn’t enjoy the date. The sooner you tell her what a great time you had, the better.
  10. Get feedback from a female friend
    Dating is not something we learn at school, we simply have to jump in the deep end and see how it goes. But, if you’re looking to improve your dating skills, why not talk to a female friend. Discuss your last date, where you went, what you did and what you talked about. Everyone has different opinions, but it can help to give you some useful feedback on how to be better on your next date.

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