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8 signs that she is the one

"If you’re mutually enjoying more sex, then it will make you both happier, but remember that it comes down to both people wanting to be intimate that often,” says Greer.

Happy couple

But how can you tell for sure? Luckily, science has some answers.

1. YOU’RE BOTH POSITIVE

Studies show that a positive outlook and a few genuinely exchanged smiles a day can go a long way in keeping a relationship stable.

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Researchers from the University of Chicago found that when just one partner possesses a high level of positivity, there’s less conflict in the relationship.

“Positive emotions are fundamental to any relationship because they counteract the negative emotions that shut us down,” says Jane Greer, New York-based relationship expert and author of What About Me? Stop Selfishness from Ruining Your Relationship. “This translates into feeling more secure with your partner and more trusting.”

And the benefits of seeing the cup half full don’t stop there.

Another study published in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychologyfound that couples who celebrated their partners’ achievements say, a job promotion or killing that 7-minute mile as if they were their own experienced greater satisfaction than those who reacted negatively or with indifference.

In the study, the couples who had broken up rated their partners’ typical responses to good news as “particularly uninspiring.”

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While this isn’t to say you should throw a full-on party the next time she shares some good news, it’s a sure sign that optimism can benefit you both.

2. YOU KEEP TEXTING TO A MEANINGFUL MINIMUM

Tread lightly when communicating with your partner via texting, say researchers from Brigham Young University.

After surveying 276 men and women around age 22 and in committed relationships, they found that heavy texting was to blame for both genders feeling dissatisfied with their relationships.

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“Texting is precarious for a lot of people in relationships because it’s hard to flesh out our genuine expressions,” says Greer. “When one person is less interactive, the expectation is not matched by the reality for the other. And this can lead to disappointment and a feeling of disconnection.”

Similarly, the study found that the men who texted more often reported lower relationship quality than those who didn’t text their partners as frequently, while the women who texted more often reported higher relationship quality.

Researchers speculate that as men detach from the relationship, they replace face-to-face convo with increased texting. The women, on the other hand, take to their mobile devices to try and make things work.

Bottom line? Hold the phone literally.

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3. YOU LIMIT SOCIAL MEDIA USE

You love checking your Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds and, chances are, it’s probably also how you read your news.

But over-scrolling on social media may be one of the most toxic things you can do for your relationship.

One study in the Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networkingfound that people who use Facebook more than once a day are more likely to report conflicts in the relationship.

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“Romantic relationships can be challenging enough to navigate without these added technological complications,” says Joseph Cilona, Psy.D., Manhattan-based licensed clinical psychologist.

“Finding ways to simplify or minimize potential pitfalls, like limiting what each other shares about your relationship on social media, is a great rule of thumb to follow,” Cilona says.

But these results only held true for couples in the early years of the relationship—which may mean the threat of Facebook coming between you two reduces the longer you stay together.

4. YOU CUDDLE

Most of us admit to loving the feeling of being physically close to another human it’s a natural, biological response.

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But consistent physical intimacy (not just sexual) can also signal how happy you are together.

Related:

A study published in The American Journal of Family Therapy surveyed 100 men and 195 women to examine their preferences and attitudes towards romantic physical affection massaging, caressing, cuddling, holding hands, hugging— and found overwhelmingly that the amount they experienced in their relationship was significantly linked to the couple’s satisfaction.

“Cuddling and tenderness help maintain the physical connection and intimacy shared between couples not just when you’re being sexual,” says Greer.

“As a result, it can be easier to get turned on because there’s always an element of sexual energy being shared through physical touches,” says Greer. “Therefore leading to a happier relationship overall.”

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5. YOU ACTUALLY FIGHT INSTEAD OF HOLDING BACK YOUR FEELINGS

While your last argument with her might leave you feeling crappy, one study reports that fights may be critical to keeping your relationship intact.

Researchers from Florida State University found that expressing anger when disagreements arise may actually be necessary in resolving problems in the relationship.

In fact, trying to just “forgive and forget” could lead to buried feelings of resentment that fester and almost always reappear later in the relationship.

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“If you learn to argue in a healthy way early on, then you’re more comfortable expressing your emotions to your partner and working through your different points of view,” says Greer. “This creates a good working framework for handling arguments in a positive way instead of them resurfacing constantly, causing more strain in the relationship.”

So don’t be afraid to put your feelings out there and fight (respectfully, of course) next time you feel passionately for or against something in your relationship.

6. YOU HAVE REGULAR SEX

If the honeymoon phase has come and gone and the two of  you are still getting hot and heavy on a regular basis, that’s always a good sign.

“Intimacy is just another type of communication, so if that communication falters, so will your sexual connection in response,” says Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D., a licensed psychotherapist and author of Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage.

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Related:Dating Tips

That being said, it’s important to remember that you should both be into it.

“If you’re mutually enjoying more sex, then it will make you both happier, but remember that it comes down to both people wanting to be intimate that often,” says Greer.

You’re certainly not alone if you find that the majority of the arguments you have as a couple are sparked by personal (or combined) finances.

Related:Wedding Tips

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But if the two of you have stark differences in the way in which you prefer to spend if one of you is frugal and the other is freer with their funds you just might be perfect for each other.

The evidence is in one study by the Universities of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Northwestern.

Researchers surveyed over 1,000 married and unmarried couples, and found that most individuals tend to choose a partner that has opposite money spending habits.

So even if you and her don’t see eye-to-eye on finances, that combination may actually work in your favor.

“Just remember to prioritize the big-spending opportunities like buying a car, house, etc.,” reminds Greer.

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