Saving a relationship can be a difficult task as there are usually a number of contributing factors that lead to a relationship break down. A relationship break up can be a very painful and emotional experience but the break up itself is usually a pre-meditated action.At some point one or both partners will have given the matter a lot of thought a made a conscious decision to end the relationship.

A healthy and loving relationship is a delicate balance of emotional and physical needs. When a relationship break up occurs it is usually as a result of one or more of those needs not being met. Any successful relationship is composed of five core elements; appreciation, communication, fun, agreement and trust. When one or more of these elements are lacking then problems within the relationship will arise.

The key to saving a relationship is for each partner to mutually commit to working on developing the five core elements.

1. Lack of Appreciation

Small tokens of appreciation can go a long way to strengthening a relationship. Many relationships start to experience problems when one or both partners do not feel appreciated and feel their efforts are being taken for granted. Showing your gratitude reminds your partner that you do appreciate their efforts and this could be something as simple as an occasional thank you or small gift.

2. Lack of Communication

A relationship is a partnership between two people and you must be able to communicate about everything. In day to day life issues will arise and you must be able to talk these through with your partner. Communication is the balance of talking and listening to gain an understanding and it is just as vital when saving a relationship that you are able to listen to and support your partner if they need you too.

3. Lack of Fun

If the power of a smile is like a wave just imagine the power of laughter! A relationship should be a series of connected experiences that you share and enjoy with your partner. It is vital in any relationship to set aside some quality time to spend together. When it comes to saving a relationship try and remember how you felt when you first met your partner and work to regain that feeling.

4. Lack of Agreement

In any situation two people will not agree with each other all the time and this is most evident in relationships. People are individuals with their own thoughts, perceptions and beliefs. If you do not agree with your partner it is advisable to step back and consider why they think or believe what they do. If this occurs regularly you should learn to agree to disagree and move on.

5. Lack of Trust

This is by far the largest cause of relationship break ups. The lack of trust in a relationship can be a complex subject ranging from the actions of one partner to a deep routed psychological issue. In any relationship there will be occasions when you will spend time apart with friends or family and it is critical that each partner feels they can do this without the repercussions of accusations. If you are experiencing a lack of trust the solution could range from giving your partner more reassurance to seeking professional assistance. Trust is the key element in saving a relationship as the lack of trust is largest cause of relationship break ups.

When it comes to knowing how to make a relationship work the five elements detailed above are the key. If you are experiencing relationship difficulties it is highly probable that these are being caused by a lacking in one of the areas above. If you are looking to fix a broken relationship avoid the pain of a relationship break up then it is vital that you achieve a balance of appreciation, communication, fun, agreement and trust.