When our significant others make mistakes, it’s important to support them instead of reacting with anger. Of course, there are moments when responding calmly can be quite challenging, but consistently turning on each other for minor stumbles can seriously strain our relationships.

“We need to ask ourselves what we are really communicating to our loved ones when we are acting in a way that is overprotective and overly controlling when they have made a mistake,” says psychologist and health economist Dr Amy Finlay-Jones. “Because the message that we are giving them is that making a mistake is not okay and [it means] we can’t accept them or we don’t trust them.”

We often harshly judge other people’s mistakes because we project our own insecurities, criticizing them as we would ourselves. In reality, failing isn’t a bad thing; it’s just one of the many ways we grow.

“It brings us face-to-face with our own vulnerability [...], our capacity to be there for others really starts with our capacity to be there for ourselves,” shares Finlay-Jones.

Finlay-Jones suggests that by learning to be kinder to ourselves, we can become less critical of our partners. Hanh Annie Vu, a psychology doctoral student at Rutgers University who researches the effects of self-compassion, explains, “People who are viewing themselves and their failures and their suffering as normal parts of human experience are more likely to have compassion for others.”

And what better way to accept that mishaps are a natural part of life than by laughing them off? Studies show that humor plays a big role in compassion, both for ourselves and others. It also boosts our mental well-being, makes us more resilient, and helps us solve problems more efficiently. By staying positive in every situation, we can foster deeper and more meaningful relationships with our loved ones.

HelpGuide, a non-profit mental health organization, describes how humor can effectively help you navigate rough patches with your partner, especially when you’re fighting over some minor mishaps. It interrupts the power struggle you could be having, easing tension and allowing you to focus on what’s important. Laughing together also makes it easier to address problems in a new and spontaneous way.

Moreover, having a good sense of humor makes us less defensive. In relaxed and playful settings, we see things differently and can talk about issues that might otherwise feel uncomfortable or even painful. What’s more, laughter helps us feel more open, giving us a chance to discuss our emotions without worrying about being judged.

But even if you’ve learned how to joke your way through unpleasant situations, sometimes it’s easy to overstep. To stay mindful of your reactions, HelpGuide suggests asking yourself these questions: Am I feeling calm, clear-headed, and connected to the other person? Am I expressing my feelings positively, or am I making a joke at the other person’s expense? If I say or do something offensive, am I able to apologize right away? These are just a few things you can consider to ground yourself.

But not all issues can be solved with just a few laughs. It’s impossible for marriages and relationships to be happy all the time, and that’s okay. “This pattern of closeness, disruption, and returning to closeness can play out at the micro level 20 times in the course of one dinner conversation,” says Terrence Real, a family therapist who offers couples workshops. “It can also play out over the macro level over decades.” The key is to accept what happens, know when to move on after arguments, and continue to treat each other with respect.

To make a relationship last, Terrence Real advises thinking of it as an ecosystem where any disruption impacts you as much, if not more, than it does your partner. “Stop thinking like two individuals and start thinking ecologically. Your relationship is your biosphere. You’re not above it. You’re in it. You breathe it.”

So even if there are times when you react harshly to a partner’s mistake without meaning to, remember that what really counts is making things work in the long run. When you can, turn those moments into funny memories. Life is best enjoyed when it’s not taken too seriously.