Sometimes it feels like the world of dating and love is an endless complicated tangle. Although romance is important to the ongoing health and excitement of a relationship, alone it isn't enough to sustain in the long term. One of the keys to any happy relationship is the ability to work through any problems that arise. That applies to other life relationships with family, friends, co-workers and bosses.

When you have two people with different needs and desires there are always going to be issues that cause conflict. The secret to maintaining a happy relationship is the way that you can resolve these issues.

But working out a solution to problems isn't always straight-forward, especially when it is happening to you and not someone else. There is a level of emotional attachment that often makes a situation seem more complicated and difficult than it often is.

One tactic that can help with happy relationship is "active listening". This is especially useful when you are having an argument with someone, be it your spouse, boss or significant other. Instead of yelling or lashing out, the aim is to paraphrase what the other person says. This ensures that they feel acknowledged and gives you time to process what they are really saying rather than what you think they are saying. It also allows the other person to say their piece without being battered down by counter arguments. It also allows you be more detached from the situation rather than drawn into arguing which gives you space to find a way to resolve the issues causing conflict.