Menu

Bad Habits That Hurt Relationships

unfocused picture of african american couple


(BlackDoctor.org) — The funny thing about bad habits is that you don’t even realize they’re a big deal until someone else says something.

Many times, that someone is your tee’d off significant other.

So…here are a few common habits that relationship experts have identified as potentially disasterous to your happy union.

Featured on BlackDoctor

You’re on your phone too much…

You’re always glued to your iPhone. You send emails at the dinner table. You tweet at the movies. You talk to your partner while simultaneously playing a game or downloading more apps.

Behave yourself: Try to get through an entire evening without your PDA, and focus on giving your present company some TLC.

You watch TV too much…

Every night it’s all about you, your partner and that good ‘ole TV. True, there’s something special (and comfortable) about catching up on your shows or movies in your pj’s together, but interacting with the outside world, or finding some other interesting activities to do at home, can be a lot of fun (and healthy), too.

Behave yourself: Try to go at least one or two days a week without TV.

You text/call too much…

9:05 a.m. text: “Morning! Get to work okay?” 10:10 a.m.: “Soooo bored at work. You?” 10:11 a.m.: “Is it 5 o’clock yet?” 10:45 a.m. phone call: “Hey, what are you up to?” And it’s not even lunchtime yet.

Behave yourself: Try to go for one whole hour without contact (unless there’s an emergency, of course). If that’s too aggressive, try 10 minutes and work your way up. It’s fine to want to be in constant contact, but give yourselves some time to miss each other.

You tease them too much…

It’s all meant in good fun, right? She teases you about your haircut and your clothes, he teases you about your sunglasses and your spending habits. But guess what? After a while, it’s not funny – it’s annoying and hurtful.

Behave yourself: Try to trim down the teasing by at least 20 percent.

You spend time with your significant other too much…

When was the last time you actually even saw your friends? When you do hang out with them, do you bring your significant other, and pretty much just talk to them the whole time?

Behave yourself: Schedule some time to spend with your friends – without your partner, so you can better nurture the other important relationships in your life.

You analyze too much…

You spend more time talking about the relationship than you do actually experiencing the relationship. Open communication is one thing, but when you take it to the extreme, questioning and rationalizing and hashing out every little thing, that could actually sabotage a normally-healthy relationship.

Behave yourself: It’s not always easy, but try harder to actually appreciate the relationship, instead of obsessing about it.

You’re un-romantic too much…

You’ve finally found that someone special. Yay! So now there’s no need to go on dates, right? Wrong.

Behave yourself: At least once or twice a month, make reservations, dress nicely, dine by candlelight, toast some wine, and be more romantic.

SHARE
Related Stories
Answer the question below

Gout Survey

People with gout often have sudden, painful flares of joint swelling and redness. How many gout flares have you experienced in the last 12 months?
Have you ever received intravenous medicine for your gout?

Get our Weekly Newsletter

Stay informed on the latest breakthroughs in family health and wellness. Sign up today!

By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.

More from BlackDoctor

Where Culture Meets Care

BlackDoctor is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically for the Black community. BlackDoctor understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BlackDoctor gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.
✦ AI Search Disclaimer
This AI-powered search tool helps you find relevant health articles from the BlackDoctor.org archive. Please keep the following in mind:
✦ For Informational Purposes Only
The information provided through this AI search is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
✦ Always Consult a Healthcare Provider
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read through this search tool. If you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
✦ AI Limitations
This search tool uses artificial intelligence to help match your queries with articles in our archive. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated results may occasionally be incomplete, outdated, or not fully relevant to your specific situation.
✦ No Doctor-Patient Relationship
Using this search tool does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and BlackDoctor.org or any healthcare provider.
Explore over 35,000 articles and videos across black health, wellness, lifestyle and culture
Full AI Search Experience >
×

Download PDF

Enter your name and email to receive the download link.

BlackDoctor AI Search