Disagreements are bound to happen in any relationship, but they don’t have to spiral into yelling matches or hurt feelings. When handled with care, conflicts can actually deepen your connection and help you grow as a couple. Imagine turning moments of tension into opportunities for understanding — that’s the goal. These 10 approaches will help you resolve conflicts calmly, with love and mutual respect, while keeping the spark alive. 1. Listen to Understand, Not to Respond Picture this: You’re in a heated discussion, and instead of truly listening, you’re crafting your comeback. Sound familiar? Active listening is about setting your thoughts aside and focusing entirely on your partner’s words and feelings. For example, if your partner says, “I feel ignored when you spend all evening on your phone,” don’t jump to defend yourself. Instead, say, “I understand that it makes you feel unimportant. I didn’t realize it was affecting you this way.” Feeling heard often calms the storm.