10 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Strong and Thriving

10 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Strong

Talk About Everything

Oftentimes, we only want to talk about easy things that won't cause conflict, but you should be able to talk to your spouse about anything and everything. You want to be totally vulnerable and let them get to know you more. You also don't want to hide things because it usually comes out anyway. If that happens, your spouse might think that you don't trust them. This is especially important if you have prior relationships, marriages, or kids from a previous partner.

If an ex reaches out to you, you might feel inclined to avoid telling your spouse, but you need to be very careful. Lack of communication comes out as a lack of trust. If someone from your past reaches out to you, it's better to be upfront and honest about it so that if anything pops up in the future regarding that person, your spouse won't have to worry about it. They also won't feel like you're trying to hide it, which makes it even more suspicious.

Make Intimacy a Priority

You have to connect consistently. For some, this may mean sex. For others, it may mean just cuddling with each other during a movie. Whatever it is, you need to make intimacy a priority on a regular basis.

Kiss and Hold Hands Regularly

We often neglect and minimize the power of touch in relationships because we don't think it's that important, but it's vital. It gives you a sense of security to know that the person still cares enough to hold your hand, kiss you, and show other displays of affection.

Do Physical Activities Together

This is important because it promotes communication and long-term health. If your spouse is more physically fit than you, you may want to avoid exercising with them. The truth is that it's better to suffer through the period of catching up to their level than it is to continue falling behind. If you're the one who's physically fit, take it down a notch and stay around your spouse's level so they'll feel more comfortable and motivated to join you. For example, if you both plan to jog together but you're at a higher physical level, jog by yourself at your regular pace and then return home and jog with your partner at their pace, even if it means walking. This way, you both can benefit from the workout without feeling compromised.

Make Date Night a Priority

It's easy to get caught up in the monotony of life and not make time for each other, but don't let your relationship become complacent. Just because you're married doesn't mean you've won each other forever. Get creative with your date nights; they don't all have to be dinners or expensive night outs. It can involve going to the beach at sunset, watching a movie under candlelight, or even eating Mcdonald's at a park.

Reminisce

Make it a habit to remind yourself why you fell in love with your spouse and what it was about them that first drew you in. As previously said, it's easy to get caught up in the sameness of your daily routines and forget why you're together. Reminiscing is healthy and helps you get back to the grassroots in your relationship.

Practice Active Listening

You're responsible for hearing and saying things right, so make sure you're listening to understand rather than to respond. You have two ears and one mouth, so always listen twice as much as you would speak.

Never Stop Having Fun Together

Sometimes, people stop being enjoyable to be with because everything becomes so serious. You want to be each other's friends in the same way that you'd be friends with your buddies. Create an environment in your relationship where you can have fun with each other because this also helps make it easier to communicate.

Give Words of Affirmation

You always want to encourage and build up your spouse. It could be that the biggest issue in your relationship is the way you speak, whether you're impatient or frequently say "let's just break up/get a divorce" even if you don't mean it. You attract what you say, so the way you speak to each other dictates the future and strength of your relationship.

Speak Life to Your Spouse

Create an atmosphere where you're always encouraging your spouse and letting them know that they're important to you. When you speak life, people will always want to be around you. A lot of times, you get beat up in the world – whether it's a toxic job, negative people, or bad circumstances – and you just want to come home to a peaceful environment.