Tip #20

Your relationship should satisfy your genes and your brain.

Your genes will always tell you to locate a mate that will help you create the healthiest babies.

Seriously, your body is hyper-programmed for this. A man whose immune system is very different than yours will actually smell better to your nose because the combination of your opposing immune systems will create children with better immune systems.

That's all well and good but we no longer live in an age where healthy offspring is the only goal of a successful relationship. The average lifespan continues to get older, which means it's very likely your marriage is going to last a looooong time after your kids fly the coop. But your genes aren't thinking about that.

This is where your brain comes in!

While your genes are certainly just doing what they think is best for your survival, your brain might be more reliable when it comes to your happiness.

Perhaps your genes will write a guy off because he's below average height (taller men are more predisposed to success and confidence apparently) but after you get to know him, you realize he's the funniest, sweetest guy you've ever met. No need to let your primitive instinct for survival rule him out.

Then occasionally, your genes and your brain steer you in the same direction.

For example, your genes don't want you to sleep with the smelly guy because they don't want you to have unhealthy children who are less likely to survive to continue your bloodline. And your brain tells you that if he smells funny, he likely doesn't have very good hygiene or a very clean lifestyle.

Both your brain and your genes have ideas of what will make your relationship successful, so make sure to listen to both.