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The Surprising Truth About Bickering
Do you worry about what bickering is doing to your relationships? You like to hang the toilet paper under while your partner prefers it over. You want to spend the weekend catching up on chores while they look forward to using their time off to relax in front of the TV.
You may be relieved to learn that instead of driving you apart, bickering could actually strengthen your connection. A study by the University of Freiburg in Germany described the benefits of what they called, “soft arguments.”
Learn more about their findings and how to deal with your conflicts constructively.
3 Suggestions for Arguing Softly:
1. Acknowledge your differences. Tension builds up when you try to avoid conflicts. Instead of shutting down or changing the subject, try addressing the issue directly. With a positive attitude, you can turn potentially unpleasant encounters into an opportunity for change and growth.
2. Maintain perspective. Keep minor disagreements from escalating. Remember what you like about your partner and your relationship while you work on your weaknesses.
3. Seek compromise. Giving each other multiple options may help you to find a solution that satisfies both your needs. Practice negotiating in a way that accommodates your partner without violating your…
