Conflicts are inevitable, even in the most healthy relationships. So it’s good to know what you can do to make arguments productive.
The BBC lists some key pointers for productive arguing, such as starting sentences with “I” rather than “you.” Instead of saying, “You irritate me when…,” say “I feel irritated when you….”
Other tips include: sit down in a relaxed position and breathe; be conscious of your feelings and tell these as well; don’t use absolutes such as “you never…” or “you always…; ” “confront the issue, not each other,” and stick to the problem at hand, rather than reopening past issues that should have already been dealt with and forgiven. (more…)