Relationship expert reveals 3 things happy couples have in common: 'Opposites may attract, but...'

Couples who continue to flirt, compliment, and ask questions show each other that they are seen and wanted, the expert said. (Representational image: Unsplash)

Psychologist Mark Travers, PhD, who specialises in relationships and leads the mental health platform Awake Therapy in the US, says long-term relationship success depends less on how different two people are and more on what they share. In a recent editorial for Therapytips.org, Travers outlined three traits that consistently show up in the happiest couples.

1. Shared humour builds resilience

Couples who laugh together tend to stay together, Travers writes. While they don’t need to share the same favourite comedian or comedy genre, they do need to find humour in the same everyday moments. “Healthy couples often use humour to turn frustrating situations into manageable ones,” he notes. Over time, this shared humour becomes a reminder of everything they’ve endured together — a private language of inside jokes and lightheartedness that strengthens their bond.

2. Similar communication styles reduce conflict

Travers says that couples who align on how they handle difficult conversations are more likely to build trust and avoid misunderstandings. Whether they prefer to talk things through immediately or take time to process before regrouping, what matters is that both partners are on the same page. “Shared expectations are the only way two people can trust each other not to disappear when things get hard,” he writes.

3. Curiosity keeps love alive

The third trait Travers identifies is mutual interest. In healthy relationships, both partners remain genuinely curious about each other — even when they already know the answers. “There’s no chasing, no imbalance in who’s keeping the affection alive,” he says. Couples who continue to flirt, compliment, and ask questions show each other that they are seen and wanted. This ongoing attention, Travers argues, is what sustains emotional intimacy over time.

While opposites may attract, Travers says shared humour, communication style, and curiosity are what help relationships last. “Differences can add spark,” he writes, “but shared ground is what builds rhythm — and rhythm is what keeps couples together.”