By approaching arguments as friends, rather than lovers, Lively and Reynolds are no doubt able to avoid “the four horsemen of the apocalypse” – a term coined by John Gottman, a professor of psychology who specialises in marital stability.

These are:

Criticism (framing complaints in the context of a defect in your partner)
Contempt (name-calling, eye-rolling, sneering, mockery, and hostile humour)
Defensiveness (making excuses to explain away your actions)
Stonewalling (withdrawing from a conversation, even if physically present)

Gottman also encourages couples to stop using the word “you” in arguments, and choosing instead to use the word “I” – and to work on their marriage each and every single day, rather than just when it is in trouble.

“Reunite at the end of the day and talk about how it went,” he says, explaining that this will help to bleed off stress from the day, and stop it from negatively affecting your relationship.

Blake Lively shares the secret to her and Ryan Reynolds’ happy marriage