Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
21 surefire tips to improve relationship wellness
Natalia Deriabina/Shutterstock

21 surefire tips to improve relationship wellness

Relationships are never smooth sailing. They take time, work, and effort, and those aren’t things that people necessarily want to do all the time — and those people are typically single. While ready to mingle, those people aren’t relationship material. That’s okay, though, because the people out there who want to find their person and make it work once they do know all too well that love isn’t going to be easy, and they will do what it takes to ensure that their relationship wellness is always on point by doing all or most of the following.  

 
1 of 21

Honesty is key

Honesty is key
Shutterstock

Lying to a partner as an adult is not the move. If one ever feels the need to be a liar in their relationship, they need to move on and let that person go so they can at least grant them that level of respect.

 
2 of 21

Share experiences

Share experiences
Shutterstock

Couples don’t have to do everything together, but they should want to share big moments with one another, whether it’s traveling or friends’ birthdays.

 
3 of 21

Be adaptable and willing to change

Be adaptable and willing to change
Shutterstock

The basis of humanity is evolution, so an unwillingness to adapt to new situations as a couple will only lead to the relationship's demise. Now, that’s not saying to change yourself for someone. It means if your partner gets a huge career opportunity and it requires a move, you may have to adjust to a new city and vice-versa.

 
4 of 21

Compliment the little things

Compliment the little things
Shutterstock

Don’t wait for them to get a haircut to compliment them. Try telling them the shirt they’re wearing on a random Wednesday looks good. It’ll make them perk up and feel appreciated.

 
5 of 21

Set boundaries

Set boundaries
Shutterstock

Boundaries aren’t something to lay out on the first date but rather a learning experience as each person grows with the other.

 
6 of 21

Know not every argument must be won

Know not every argument must be won
Shutterstock

No one likes to lose an argument, but there are some that aren’t worth the drama. Pick and choose what’s worth getting into it over because, most of the time, it’s not.

 
7 of 21

Ditch the phones

Ditch the phones
Shutterstock

This doesn’t just go for romantic relationships, either. Everyone could benefit from being phone-free in social situations.

 
8 of 21

Go to sleep at the same time

Go to sleep at the same time
Shutterstock

Going to bed at the same time can help boost one another’s intimacy levels, but it also puts one another on the same page when it comes to sleep cycles.

 
9 of 21

Ask questions

Ask questions
Shutterstock

Don’t just let them talk at you. Be engaging and ask questions to showcase you’re actually listening and care about what they have to say.

 
10 of 21

Be silly

Be silly
Shutterstock

If you can’t be silly and have that childlike wonder together, it’s not going to last.

 
11 of 21

Dismiss the negatives, embrace the positives

Dismiss the negatives, embrace the positives
Shutterstock

The world is already too cynical. Don’t allow that to leak into your relationship.

 
12 of 21

Never stop dating

Never stop dating
Shutterstock

Don’t just go out for birthdays and anniversaries. Take full advantage of a Tuesday night.

 
13 of 21

Give one another space

Give one another space
Shutterstock

Being on top of one another all the time can take its toll. So don’t forget to be individuals as well.

 
14 of 21

Get a shared hobby

Get a shared hobby
Shutterstock

Having a common interest never hurts in a relationship, but it just shouldn’t be sitting around and watching YouTube. Get out and explore those passions with one another.

 
15 of 21

Try something new

Try something new
Shutterstock

It never hurts to try something new, whether it’s a hobby or a new position in the bedroom! Don’t allow the relationship to ever settle.

 
16 of 21

Listen, listen, listen

Listen, listen, listen
Shutterstock

Little things like not being on the phone, eye contact, and asking them follow-up questions will show the person you’re with that you were listening and not just scrolling through your phone on neutral.

 
17 of 21

Celebrate one another more often than not

Celebrate one another more often than not
Shutterstock

Couples tend to reserve celebrations only for the anniversary of when they made things official, whether it be when they started dating or when they got married. Those are great, but it’s time to celebrate all the things from promotions at work to getting through the week without crying.

 
18 of 21

Know their love language

Know their love language
Shutterstock

Everyone knows the five love languages: Words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, time together, and touch. It’s important to know one another’s so that each person can give what the other needs accordingly.

 
19 of 21

Talk about sex

Talk about sex
Shutterstock

Sex isn’t necessary for 100% of relationships, but it most definitely helps in a majority of them, so it’s crucial that partners are open and honest, not only about what they like but also what they don’t like and what they’d like to expand upon.

 
20 of 21

Leave grudges in the past

Leave grudges in the past
Shutterstock

Don’t let an argument from two weeks ago interfere with the good time you two could have today.

 
21 of 21

Ask for what you need

Ask for what you need
Shutterstock

If there is something lacking, speak up about it. Don’t assume your partner can read your mind.

Kendra Beltran

Kendra Beltran is a pop culture obsessed writer who spent her youth tirelessly jotting down ‘Total Request Live’ data after school. She took that obsession and a useless college degree, and spun it into enough to pay her rent by writing for MTV Geek, Collider, Popverse, and more. Over the years her interest in pop culture has only grown, and today she finds herself baking while streaming ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ running (slowly) while listening to podcasts about the ‘90s, and hanging out with her dog while taking in emo playlists

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

Dustin Rhodes Assigns Blame After Hulk Hogan’s Death
Wrestling

Dustin Rhodes Assigns Blame After Hulk Hogan’s Death

Following the shocking news of Hulk Hogan’s passing, wrestling legend Dustin Rhodes, known to millions as Goldust in WWE, took to social media to share a deeply personal and provocative reaction: “Hospitals truly kill people. I really do mean that.” Rhodes’ blunt statement stunned many fans, but those who know his story saw the pain behind the words. His father, the iconic Dusty Rhodes, passed away in 2015, aged 69, after a fall at home led to hospitalization for kidney failure. After his father's passing, Dustin shared a contemplative response on WWE's YouTube channel to discuss the legacy his father left behind. The news of Hogan's death comes just a month after reports suggested he was on his "deathbed" after undergoing a neck procedure back in May. Hogan's reps denied that was the case. In June, US Weekly reported that Hogan had also undergone a "pretty serious heart surgery and was doing well afterward." Dustin’s connection to his brother Cody Rhodes, now a top WWE superstar and face of the company’s next generation, is unbreakable. The Rhodes family legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of pro wrestling history, and seeing another legend like Hogan pass has clearly hit close to home. While Goldust and Hulk Hogan never had a headline-grabbing rivalry, they did share the ring once. It occurred in WCW in 2000 when Dustin Rhodes matched up against Hogan. Although their paths didn’t often cross in the squared circle, Hogan and the Rhodes family were part of the same larger-than-life era that helped define pro wrestling for decades and catapult the sport into society's zeitgeist. Rhodes’ comment about hospitals might not sit well with everyone, but it speaks to a raw and honest pain felt by someone who has seen too many legends, both personal and professional, fade away in similar fashion. The sport of wrestling has endured more than its fair share of lives cut short. As tributes continue to pour in for Hogan, Rhodes’ reaction serves as a powerful, if somber, reminder of the real human emotions behind the wrestling personas.

Carter Hart, others found not guilty in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial
NHL

Carter Hart, others found not guilty in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial

Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Callan Foote, Michael McLeod and Alex Formenton have been found not guilty by Justice Maria Carroccia in London, Ontario, according to reporting from The Athletic, after being charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault involving the 2018 Canadian men’s national junior team. Carroccia said that she did not find E.M.’s [the alleged victim] evidence “credible or reliable,” in explaining her reasoning. “Having found that I cannot rely upon the evidence of E.M. and then considering the evidence in this trial as a whole, I conclude that the Crown cannot meet its onus on any of the counts before me,” Carroccia said. The allegations against Dube, Foote, Formenton, Hart and McLeod first became public in May of 2022, when reports emerged that Hockey Canada had paid to settle a lawsuit with a woman, known in court documents as E.M., who said she was sexually assaulted by eight players “over several hours” in a London hotel room on July 18, 2018. No charges were levied as a result of the initial investigation by local police, which was closed in February 2019, but the case was reopened after the 2022 report. Formal charges were then brought against the five defendants on Jan. 30, 2024. The trial began on April 22, 2025, and the verdicts were reached solely by Justice Carroccia after two mistrials influenced her to dismiss the jury. The NHL does not have a formal policy for players accused of or charged with domestic violence, sexual assault or similar crimes. Instead, the four players who were under NHL contracts at the time – Dube, Foote, Hart and McLeod – were granted indefinite leaves of absence by their clubs shortly before the charges were announced. All of them were pending restricted free agents on expiring contracts and were not extended qualifying offers, making them unrestricted free agents as of July 1, 2024. When asked about the playing eligibility of the defendants, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has continually deferred action until after a verdict was reached. While none of the players are formally suspended by the league, similar situations have routinely required some sort of permission from league offices for them to play in or return to the NHL. If teams approach any of them with a contract offer, they will presumably wait for that guidance before registering the deal.

Major Update On A Potential Goldberg AEW Retirement Match
Wrestling

Major Update On A Potential Goldberg AEW Retirement Match

Few names are more synonymous with Turner wrestling than Goldberg. However, it doesn't appear the WCW legend is likely to get one more match on the platform with AEW. The WWE Hall of Famer wrapped up his career with a retirement match against Gunther. He would lose to the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Saturday Night's Main Event, seemingly bringing an end to his legendary in-ring career. Unfortunately, it does not appear all were happy with how the bout played out. Goldberg's retirement speech following the match was cut short due to broadcast restrictions, and while he had high praise for his opponent, he expressed major unhappiness about he match itself and its presentation. He made several thinly veiled shots at WWE management for the lack of promotion for the match, and expressed being upset over it not taking place on a Premium Live Event. Could a potential Goldberg match in AEW happen? The talk of his displeasure with the match immediately led to rumors over whether or not Tony Khan and AEW would bring Goldberg in to give him a more fitting sendoff. He made his name on the Turner platform while a member of the WCW roster, so a return to the airwaves on Dynamite or Collision could potentially bring synergy. That, though, appears unlikely. WrestleVotes reported on Thursday that AEW sources indicated there is no direct connection between AEW and Goldberg at the moment. It reports the 58-year-old is still believed to be a under WWE contract as is, so any contact would be risky territory for either side. Additionally, said sources noted it would be surprising to see AEW move towards bringing Goldberg in given its good standing with fans following AEW All In: Texas. AEW, of course, did serve as the landing space for Sting's legendary retirement run, one that came to a close at AEW Revolution in 2024. It is also not clear as to whether or not Goldberg would be healthy for one more match, as he revealed he broke his hand during his final outing.

Bucks executive opens up on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors
NBA

Bucks executive opens up on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors

The Milwaukee Bucks' decision to waive-and-stretch Damian Lillard sparked even more Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors on social media. There were already reports that Antetokounmpo was considering his options and potentially forcing his way out of Milwaukee, and the Lillard move did little to alleviate the situation. Nevertheless, the weeks have gone by, and Antetokounmpo is still a Buck. More importantly, the team believes that's not going to change any time soon. "We have no indication that anything is really changing as far as our relationship with the player we think is the best in the world," a Bucks front office executive told Spotrac's Keith Smith. "We rebuilt on the fly, in a really challenging situation, but we think we did it as well as it could be done." Antetokounmpo trade rumors have cooled off around the league, and while anything can happen in the NBA, that doesn't seem likely at this point. "Do I think the star guys like Giannis (Antetokounmpo) or LeBron (James) are going to go anywhere? Nope. Is it possible? Sure is," said a Western Conference executive. Giannis chose to stay in Milwaukee with one of the most lucrative contract extensions in NBA history. He was overly critical of the team's effort last season, and another early playoff exit may have driven him to the edge. Even so, he's talked about how he wants to win "the right way," as opposed to chasing rings. That said, with head coach Doc Rivers' long list of questionable postseason performances and a championship window that could be closing right before their eyes, Giannis trade rumors will flood social media again if the Bucks get off to a slow start during the 2026-26 campaign.