Five Tips For Keeping Your Marriage Fresh And Strong
Having a strong and healthy marriage takes effort and dedication. Whether you’ve been married for a few years or decades, it’s essential to keep the spark and connection alive. In today’s article, we’ll explore five tips to help you do just that—avoiding the stale routine of your daily life and reigniting your relationship. Read on to find out more!
Let’s Start with Communication
In any relationship, communication is vital. This is especially true in marriage. When you’re married, you’re sharing your life with someone else, and communicating effectively is crucial to maintain a strong relationship. Communication is far and away the most significant challenge of all the marital challenges I hear about in my office. The Bible says that the state of the heart comes out of the mouth. In other words, you cannot hide what is truly in your heart. It’s coming out of your mouth sooner or later, usually sooner.
Here are five tips for keeping your communication strong in marriage:
- Talk openly and honestly with each other. Marriage is built on trust, so it’s essential to be open and honest with each other about your thoughts and feelings. If you’re feeling something, say it. Don’t bottle things up. Trying to appease with silence while needing to be heard is a recipe for marital disharmony on a large scale. Talk with each other – regularly, about everything.
- Listen to each other. It’s not just about talking. It’s also about listening. Really listen to what your spouse is saying and try to understand their perspective. If you need clarification, ask. Without defensiveness, simply ask. Assumptions are killers in communication.
- Be patient with each other. Sometimes you don’t see eye-to-eye, but it’s important to be patient with each other and work through disagreements calmly and respectfully. The keywords here are calm and respectful. I’m not suggesting that accomplishing that is easy, but it is essential.
- Show appreciation and value for each other. Take the time to show your spouse how much you appreciate and value them – whether through words or actions (or both). A little appreciation can go a long way in a marriage! When we stop conveying gratitude, we start lessening value. When we start lessening value, love begins to dissipate greatly.
- Pray together often. Keep the lines of communication horizontally (with each other) by strengthening your communication vertically (with the Divine). This is a secret sauce for couples of all ages. I am convinced you cannot harbor bitterness, anger, or resentment as the two of you enter God’s throneroom. Don’t dramatize it. Just talk to God about the day ahead and the days just past. He cannot wait to hear from you.
Spending Quality Time Together
It’s no secret that marriages can sometimes become stale. The excitement and passion of the early days can fizzle out, leaving you feeling more like roommates than partners. But it doesn’t have to be this way! You can do plenty of things to keep your marriage fresh and robust. Here are five tips:
- Spend quality time together. This means putting away your phones, turning off the TV, and focusing on each other. Have deep conversations, share laughs, and enjoy each other’s company.
- Get out of your comfort zone together. Trying new things can help spice up your relationship and rekindle the spark. Whether exploring a new hobby or taking a trip to an exotic destination, breaking out of your routine will excite your marriage. Even a simple old habit like bowling, roller skating, or a cheap date night can invigorate your relationship.
- Be thoughtful and romantic with each other. Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most in a relationship. Make sure you’re showing your partner how much you care, whether with a heartfelt gift or simply telling them how much you love them every day. Leave a love note. Bring home flowers. Just keep in mind that marriage is like all of life. What you reap, you sow.
- Communicate openly and honestly about everything – both the good and the bad. Marriage is all about communication, so ensure you always share your thoughts and feelings. It’s the only way to grow closer as a couple truly. Hey husbands, this includes the recap of your day!
- Keep the physical intimacy alive in your marriage. This doesn’t just have to be about having sex. Often, the most intimate things are a simple kiss, holding hands, or even a welcomed hug. Touch is so important and so fun. Don’t miss God’s gift of feeling loved through physical touch.
Setting Boundaries
It’s important to set boundaries in your marriage to keep it strong and fresh.
Here are five tips for doing so:
- Make time for each other. Set aside time every week to reconnect with your spouse. This can be as simple as going on a date night or having a weekend getaway. The key is consistency.
- Communicate openly and honestly. Marriage isn’t always easy, but it’s important to communicate about what’s going on in your life. This will help you stay connected and work through any challenges together.
- Respect each other’s space and privacy. It’s important to respect each other’s needs for space and privacy. This doesn’t mean you have to agree on everything, but it does mean respecting each other’s point of view.
- Be willing to compromise. In any relationship, there will be times when you need to compromise to move forward. If you’re both willing to meet in the middle, it’ll help keep your marriage strong. The goal is to stop trying to prove you are right and start making things right!
- Seek help if needed. If you’re struggling in your marriage, don’t be afraid to seek professional help together. This can be a great way to get back on track and improve your relationship overall.
Understanding Each Other’s Needs
In any relationship, understanding what your spouse needs and wants is essential. It can be easy to get caught up in your own life and thoughts and forget to ask your spouse about their day or how they’re feeling. Be cautious not to fall into the trap of “but they should know what I mean, or they should know what I need.” More often than not, they cannot read your mind or your emotions.
One way to proactively keep your marriage strong is by regular check-ins with each other. This can be done in person, via text, or even over the phone if you’re both busy during the day. Simply asking how your partner is doing and what they need from you can go a long way. My favorite part of each day is when Jenny asks me what each day’s highs, lows, and challenges are, and I return the same questions with her.
Remember that everyone is different and will have different needs at different times. One day your partner may want nothing more than a hug, while another day, they may need you to handle all the logistics for dinner so they can relax. Pay attention and be fully present for them when they need you.
And finally, don’t forget to communicate your own needs as well! If you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you’re not getting enough attention, speak up. A happy marriage is one where both partners feel heard and supported. This builds and conveys value, trust, and love!
Good communication is vital to a successful marriage. Understanding each other’s needs can keep your relationship healthy, secure, and full of love.
Keeping the Romance Alive
It can be easy to let the romance slide in a long-term relationship. Life gets busy, kids come along, and suddenly you and your partner are more like roommates than lovers. But it’s essential to keep the spark alive in your marriage—not just for your own happiness, but for the sake of your relationship. Here are five tips for keeping the romance alive in your marriage:
- Make time for each other. It’s important to carve out time together as a couple, even if it’s just a few minutes every day. Whether you take a walk together after dinner or spend an evening together on the sofa, make sure you have quality time together without distractions.
- Plan special outings and date nights. Sometimes, a change of scenery is all it takes to bring some excitement back into your relationship. Plan an overnight getaway or a special evening out with just the two of you. And don’t forget to keep the romance going during regular date nights by trying new things and mixing up your routine.
- Get physical! Physical touch is integral to intimacy, so ensure you’re showing affection through hugs, kisses, and sex—whatever works for you as a couple. If you’re not feeling sexual now, find other ways to be close physically, such as cuddling or massage. You’re welcome.
Marriage is one of the greatest joys in life, and it can be made even richer with intentional effort. I trust that these tips for keeping your marriage fresh and strong have given you some ideas to strengthen your bond with your spouse. Whether you’re looking to spice things up or deepen the friendship between the two of you, these tips will help create a stronger relationship built on understanding and love.
Go in Peace, Chuck
