Matthew McConaughey reveals ‘biggest mistake’ people make in relationships as he shares unexpected advice

Matthew McConaughey has opened up with some surprising relationship advice.

When it comes to advice about relationships, it can feel as though there's a new theory about how to make things work every day.

Of course, basic things like communication and understanding, and finding time to be affectionate with one another can go a very long way, without getting into all kinds of theories.

McConaughey, 56, first crossed paths with his wife, Camila Alves, 42, at a LA nightclub in 2006.

"She showed up, and she moved right to left in front of my eyes across that club," he previously told People. "It was as if she was floating. And I did not say, 'Who is that?' I said, 'What is that?' And then introduced myself. Since that evening, I have not wanted to spend time with any other woman."

The couple have been married since 2012 (Rick Kern/FilmMagic)

The couple welcomed two kids before tying the knot in 2012, with their third child born later that year.

During a recent appearance on the Jay Shetty podcast, the Interstellar star, who previously shared a 'bedroom secret' that helped keep his marriage alive, revealed some surprising relationship advice.

"I think one of the biggest mistakes that I know I could make is taking it for granted," McConaughey told the host.

"You vow to love each other in marriage, for instance, through sickness and in health, until the death."

The star opened up with some unusual tips (Jay Shetty Podcast/YouTube)

The actor continued: "To take that for granted sometimes and not do the maintenance, which shouldn't feel like work but it's conscious, it can take work, it can be a thought and a choice you make."

McConaughey shared that you can have a 'little thought' that you might do every day, which can go a very long way when it comes to maintaining a relationship, like making your partner coffee, which he called a 'little, thoughtful thing like that'.

He said: "If I don't do it's not gonna be missed."

But what about his unexpected advice?

Well, this is to do with how intense a romance is, and that if you're in it for a long-term relationship then higher intensity may not be the best idea.

He spoke about how people can put each other on pedestals if they think they have found 'the one', saying: "Oh s**t, don't do that to me, and don't let me do that to you, I can't live up to that, you can't live up to that."

McConaughey added: "If you try to hold onto that 100 watt bulb to be the light all the time, you're Wonderwoman, I'm Superman, it seems to me humanly impractical to live up to it and unfair to each other."

The star recalled a preacher that he had come across, who had told him, 'love's more like, it's a 30 watt bulb'.

He explained: "Dim the light a little bit. It'll last longer, it'll illuminate longer, not as bright, but it'll last longer, it's more realistic for you and her, it's more human, and it's still lovely."