There are no magic love potions to repair a failing relationship. We can only rely on those tried and true practices that have been around for centuries to get your love train back on track. Every relationship contains of what I call "The Relationship Trinity". Without it, there’s no hope. You see, the trinity consists of love, trust, and respect, the foundation of any healthy relationship, and if one element of this trifecta is removed, then the relationship is pretty much fated for doom. If your relationship is on shaky ground, then one of these ‘romantic recovery’ techniques can be used to bring it back from the brink and get it on a more even keel.

We’re not in a movie, so be realistic. One key element to look out for in a relationship is romance. If the romance has faded then that’s a huge red flag. It’s true that the rush of passion and excitement you feel when you first start dating doesn’t last, but as time goes on, it should be replaced with a calm stability and a consistency that you know your partner will always be there for you. The big negative is that these routines can become boring, especially when you equate it to the excitement and exhilaration you felt when the two of you first started dating. The big caveat here is that these euphoric feeling are not true love and are impossible to sustain. The natural transition is that those feelings will morph into a deeper, more gratifying type of love. I’ve outlined some ways to help nurture this deeper love so it will last. This deeper love can help you regain what may have been lost and take it to that next level.

Emphasize those qualities that make up the "Relationship Trinity". They are: honesty compassion, loyalty, acceptance, forgiveness, understanding, and above all, trust. Keep in mind that you’re both human and will make mistakes.

Communication is another essential key. When you are discussing problems, remember to be open and honest with each other. Put yourself in your partner’s shoes and think of how you would want to be treated. A caring approach is always the best way to go, otherwise the situation can easily get out of hand. If you don’t clear the air, then any unresolved issues will manifest themselves in other ways. This will only lead to resentment, anger and even more hurt. Your partner is not a mind reader, so if you have any unresolved issues, talk them out. You’ll both feel a lot better.

Nobody’s perfect, so learn to accept your partner’s imperfections. A lot of times, those little Imperfections are what you loved most about your partner in the first place. Take the time to learn your partner’s weaknesses. That’s what makes them tick. Then accept them and move on. This will allow you both to grow as individuals as well as a couple. By doing this, you begin building back trust and faith in each other. This is also where compassion and understanding take a front row seat.

Men sometimes have a negative outlook on communication, so instead of getting angry when he doesn’t want to talk, why not take a break from everything. Learn to pick your battles. The last thing you want is to be sweating the small stuff. Take a step back and chill out. I’m not saying give in, but if the two of you can not come to a compromise, then it’s better to agree to disagree and shelve that issue for another time. By doing this, it shows that you love and respect each other. Clearing your mind and thoughts will allow you to think more rationally and more often than not, the issue you were arguing over will be forgotten.

Be thankful for having that special someone in your life because life is too short, so live life to its fullest. Be the best person you can be. And if one of you is feeling down, let your partner be your rock, that soft place to fall. And when one of you is happy or feels like celebrating, join them. There are so few moments of happiness in life, when one comes along, rejoice and have fun too.

Stop being so serious and have fun together. Look at the lighter side of things. Relationships don’t have to be difficult. They can be stress free, exciting and a lot of fun. Many times couples get bogged down in the minutia of things and forget why they fell in love in the first place. Think back to how much fun the two of you used to have. Bring those things back into your life. There’s no reason not to.

And even though these ‘romantic recovery’ methods don’t apply to everyone, they do work for many. Take inspiration from these tips and tools and they might just be the answer you were looking for.