Can a photo predict relationship trouble? Tracey Cox reveals the secret signs captured on camera that show how happy your partner REALLY is
- Tracey says there are simple ways to determine your partner's happiness
- The easiest method is to observe their physical behaviour towards you
- You can also study photographs to compare your body language
Sometimes it’s blatantly obvious your relationship is going through a rough patch (the last time you sat at the table together, there were divorce lawyers present).
Other times, you think things are okay but you’re not entirely sure. You’re happy enough but… is he? Are those congratulatory Champagne clinks on anniversaries real or are they putting on a brave face because they don’t want to hurt you?
It’s in situations like these where body language comes into its own. Forget what your partner is saying, look at the messages his body is sending you.
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Tracey Cox says that analysing photographs of the pair of you can determine how well you relate to each other
It takes courage to say ‘Honey, I think we’re in one hell of a rut’ and by voicing their unhappiness it suddenly makes it real.
This is why their body will often tell you they are unhappy, before their words do.
Find out how you and your partner score by using the checklists below. Look at your 'live' body language first, then check out photographs of the two of you together for further clues.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome, it’s time for one of those (dreaded but necessary) ‘We need to talk’ chats.
YOUR RELATIONSHIP’S IN GREAT SHAPE IF:
They look you straight in the eye – direct eye contact means they’ve nothing to hide.
They’ll sit on the sofa beside you, rather than in a separate chair. Wanting to be physically close during ‘relax’ time, means the relationship gives them comfort and isn’t stressful.
Your upper torsos are close when you hug each other. As a general rule, the closer your hearts, the closer you feel emotionally.
You can also monitor their body language to gauge their happiness when they're with you. If they sit close to you on the sofa it means they see the relationship as a comfort
You press pelvises when you hug: the closer the hips, the better and more frequent the sex. If you closely connect from your shoulders right through to your knees, you have a perfect balance between great sex and love.
They touch their forehead to yours when you hug or just before you kiss. This is a sign of great trust and affection.
IT’S NOT GREAT NEWS IF:
They stand far apart from you – physical distance usually equates to emotional distance.
The only time you seem to touch is when you meet, say goodbye or have sex. You’ve lost physical intimacy and turned into friends with benefits.
They lean in to kiss you hello and goodbye rather than snuggle in and get close.
Compare photographs from the beginning of your relationship to present day to see if their body language has changed
They avoid meeting your eyes. They’re hiding something (or someone?) or want to avoid acknowledging how bad the relationship has become.
Their body language is closed. We use ‘closed’ body language – try to put barriers between us and another person – to protect ourselves. If they always seem to fold their arms, hold their drink between you, keep their bag on the shoulder closest to you or cross legs away from you or lean back and away, pay attention.
PHOTOGRAPHS OFFER CRUCIAL CLUES
Photographs of the two of you don’t just provide lovely memories of places you have been and people you have seen.
They’re a rather handy way to see how your relationship and sex life are holding up over time.
Photos provide a telling snapshot of how your dynamic was in that moment because it captures your body language.
Tracey Cox (pictured) says examining photographs of you and your partner can help improve the relationship
By analysing that, you can get a good idea of how you related to each other then and how you relate now.
Step one:
If you have only been together a short time, you’re in luck - your smartphone and social media will have already put the photos in chronological order. Scroll from when you first got together to present day.
If you’ve been together for a long time and some are physical photos rather than on your phone or social media, try to pick one photo to represent each six month block.
Now examine how you stand, sit, kiss and walk together.
Compare how close you stood together then to now and how much you are touching.
Look at your facial expressions: do you see happiness or resentment?
Look at the shoulders: are they back and proud (happy), slumped forward (depressed) or held high (tense)?
Is the smile genuine (eyes crinkled, cheeks lifted in balls)?
Are your torsos turned toward (interest) or away from each other (disconnection)?
Step two:
If you suspect a significant event changed the way you feel towards each other, organise the pictures to pre and post the situation and repeat the process.
Step three:
Choose the picture you’re happiest with – one which demonstrates how you’d like the two of you to be now (congratulations if it was taken yesterday!).
Also find one which reflects your unhappiest period – how you’d least like to be.
Mark both as favourites or put somewhere they’re easily accessible.
Step four:
The next time you and your partner are feeling close and chatting comfortably, show them the pictures.
Explain the exercise you’ve done and what you learned from it and use it as a springboard to talking through where you’re going right and areas which need improvement.
Visit traceycox.com for more of Tracey's views, her products and books
![The ABC Chief meteorologist and her husband Ben Aaron revealed the sex of their baby on the way during a Tuesday segment on Good Morning America.
?[I?m] excited, I?m happy to get it out there,? the mom-to-be, who?s expecting their first child in December, says before the big announcement.
?I honestly don?t care [if it?s a boy or girl] as long as it looks like her side of the family,? adds Aaron, an NBC news correspondent.
The parents-to-be made the creative reveal by uncovering the lids of large alphabet blocks, out of which popped blue balloons. As the couple cheers, Aaron shouts, ?A son!?](http://web.archive.org/web/20150721234426im_/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/21/20/2ABAF36800000578-0-image-m-33_1437506240734.jpg)
