Looking for the secret to happily ever after with your spouse? Though there’s no such thing as a “perfect” marriage, there are things you can do to get pretty darn close. Start a search today to find marriage advice for a healthy marriage.
To foster a strong and enduring bond, consider key elements that contribute to marital success. Understanding and respecting each other’s needs and communication styles is essential. The following tips can help you achieve a happy marriage.
Avoid Unrealistic Expectations
It can be hard to avoid the trap of going into marriage with lofty expectations of what marriage and your partner should be like. Lots of these expectations are based on the way relationships are portrayed in movies or on social media, where you only see what people want you to see.
Marriage won’t always be all roses and romance no matter how wonderful your partner is. Expecting perfection leads to disappointment on your part and a lot of pressure for your partner that can leave them feeling like a failure in marriage. Expect to be treated with love and respect and leave the unrealistic expectations for fairy tales and rom-coms.
Make Sex a Priority Without Making It a Chore
Life can get hectic between work and kids, but don’t let that make sex slip to the bottom of your priority list. Intimacy is a crucial part of a healthy marriage.
Forget about penciling sex into your calendar like you would a teeth-cleaning appointment, because the last thing sex should be is a chore or job on your to-do list. You don’t need to be having sex 5 days a week to have a fulfilling sex life. Keep the intimacy alive by being affectionate whenever and however you can. Hold hands, kiss, and flirt with your partner and when you do have sex, take your time and enjoy each other.
Bring Up What They Do, Not What They Don’t
We tend to be quick to point out the stuff our partners don’t do, like take out the trash or clean out the garage, but how often do you bring up the things they do take the time to do? Focusing on the negatives can quickly leave your partner feeling unappreciated, which in turn makes them not want to do things for you. Instead of focusing on what they don’t do, remember to praise them for the things that they do for you, from working hard to paying the bills to being a great parent.
Do Your Own Thing
This isn’t about living separate lives, but rather having your own interests and hobbies outside of your marriage. Taking the time to do your own thing helps to alleviate stress so that you’re more relaxed and it also helps keep things interesting in your marriage because it adds a little air of mystery and gives you something to talk about outside your daily routine. Besides, spending a little time apart also gives your partner the chance to miss you.
Take Care of Yourselves
It’s no secret that a lot of people let themselves go once they get married and have kids. Taking care of yourself physically has many benefits in marriage. If you eat well and exercise, your partner is more likely to do the same. Taking care of yourself gives you more energy, boosts confidence, and improves your libido. And, studies have found that couples that are active together tend to have better sex lives. How’s that for incentive to eat right and get fit?