Cards, chocolates, flowers and dinners - just some of the buzzwords around Valentine's Day. But councillors are reminding people that working on relationships every day is just as important.
The Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) says it is beneficial for couples, friends and relatives to make an effort in their relationships on an on-going basis.
IACP spokesman, Shane Kelly, said: "This is a time of year when we focus on our relationships and make a special effort with our partners, but what if we made an effort every day".
For those considering making positive changes in their relationships, communication is the key factor, the IACP advised.
"Communication is vital for the success of any relationship, regardless of whether it is romantic or platonic, so don't take it for granted. Think about it and work at it,"Mr Kelly said.
He added that it was important for people to be honest with one another. In turn, this would create an environment where both sides would feel comfortable and safe to talk.
"Keep talking to each other and express your fears, concerns, loves and desires. This helps you build trust. It will also strengthen the bond between you and keep you connected as your relationship evolves," he said.
The IACP also strongly recommends that people prioritise their personal relationships.
It says demanding work schedules and fatigue from the daily grind can make this easy to forget - but that it is a key element in making relationships work.
"Our lives are full of demands that fill our time and our headspace. Work, children or commitments to other family members put a drain on our personal resources. In turn, this causes us to neglect ourselves and then our relationship."
"At the same time, it is very important that we don't put our relationship at the bottom of our list of priorities and that it becomes neglected," Mr Kelly added.
To further strengthen relationships, the IACP also recommends people give each other compliments, find activities that both people can enjoy and share and surprise one another.
In the end, it boils down to one main thing, according to the IACP: Talk, talk, talk.
