Happy relationships require hard work from partners. Renowned biologist-anthropologist and researcher of human behavior Helen Fisher identifies three basic characteristics of a long-term relationship:

1. Mutual compassion
According to Fischer, the first feature of a long-term relationship is the partners' compassion for each other.

Empathy is the ability to look at a problem through the eyes of another person and feel the same as him. Empathic individuals tend to connect with other people with ease. This makes them excellent life companions.

If one of the partners is compassionate, and the other is not, then there is an imbalance in the relationship. And when a partner understands what is wrong with his soulmate, quarrels and difficulties are resolved much faster and easier.

2. Controlling emotions in stressful situations
Another important characteristic responsible for the success of any relationship is the couple's control over their emotions in moments of stress. The ability to openly express your feelings without recrimination significantly strengthens relationships.

Instead of getting angry about problems and taking that anger out on each other, work on resolving them together. This way you can keep your love and make it even stronger over time.

3. Positive illusions
According to Fisher, positive illusions help you rethink your partner's habits, personality, and routines, relieving you of the urge to run screaming into the sunset.

Focus on the positive qualities in your partner, not the ones you can't change. We get so hung up on things that annoy us that we let them overshadow all the good that is in a loved one. And if we focused more attention on the good, then our relationship would only get better. After all, no one is perfect.

For the sake of a strong relationship, both parties must try. Don't fool yourself that love is easy. The next time you are again considering whether or not to continue the relationship, ask yourself if you are showing compassion for your partner, if you control your emotions or allow them to control you, and if you are trying to see the best in your partner, not the worst.