It takes practice to excel in many areas of life such as sport or music. Relationships involve skills which take practice.

Where do we learn our relationship skills? Our families are the most obvious source of learning. Yet we pick up both the positives and the negatives, copying our parents without realising. Copying the positives works in our favour, but there are always a few bad habits. Awareness of those bad habits helps focus on where we need to change.

The skills can be grouped into categories such as communication, conflict resolution, intimacy and humour.

John Gottman has researched couples and relationship skills for many years, he outlines important skills for every relationship.

ANGER ISSUES? – Do you get angry with your partner or children? If you do perhaps you have experienced being “hangry” hungry and angry at the same time. This is explained by the processes taking place when you need food; only some people seem susceptible. Amanda Salis explains the phenomenon in her article published on The Conversation.

For more serious anger management issues get help from a specialist; look at courses offered by Relationships Australia.