Healthy Techniques Couples Should Use When Fighting, According to Experts

Every couple is bound to fight from time to time, whether it be about the latest hot-button political issue, your cleaning schedule, or something as simple as what to eat for dinner. “Fighting allows us to work things out,” says Daryl Appleton, Ed.D., LMC, a psychotherapist and executive coach. “It's important how we fight, though, because it could lead to a bigger problem if it’s toxic fighting — whereas in a healthy relationship, a problem is seen, it's overcome, and people learn new ways to communicate.”

To better understand relationship conflict, we asked the experts to identify some of the most common mistakes couples make when they fight, as well as how to fix them in order to have disagreements that are healthy and productive. From implementing better body language to being more aware of the words you use, these techniques will come in handy whenever an argument arises. Ultimately, putting them to use will help you build a stronger relationship that's based on trust, respect, and healthy communication.