The post is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.
Relationships can be hard in general, and marriage is no exception. If you feel like your marriage needs work, that’s actually great. The simple fact that you are here reading this is a good sign that you want there to be change. Many people simply never bother and accept being unhappy in their marriage.
A marriage can turn sour in all sorts of ways, whether from infidelity (digital or otherwise) or simply by growing apart with time.
It doesn’t really matter if your marriage feels broken or if it feels strong—it can always be strengthened. Since this is a bond that’s meant for life, it’s worth the time and effort to work on it.
So, read on for five ways that you can work on your marriage and help make it stronger than ever.
How You Can Work on Your Marriage
There’s so much information out there about marriage, but not all of it is created equal. Fortunately, however, there are plenty of trustworthy sources of guidance on marriage that you can turn to online such as BetterHelp.
Intimacy
Many couples who have been married for a long time experience intimacy issues. If this is your situation, don’t worry! You can overcome this with time and effort.
Try starting out slowly with simple, gentle touching, like holding hands or running your hand through their hair. Re-establish touch as part of your relationship and over time you can build up to greater intimacy, which is an important part of any marriage.
Compliments
Once you’ve reached the marriage stage, it can be easy to forget that you need to keep nourishing your love. It never hurts to remind your spouse how much they mean to you. Whether it’s a compliment about their appearance, their attitude, or something they’ve just done, compliments can really help improve the ambiance of your marriage.
Stay Present
Nowadays, it’s so easy for all of us to get distracted by our phones. But when we do this, we’re not being present with the people who are physically around us. One day, you may regret spending time on your phone instead of being present, staying engaged in the moment. You may miss a big moment for your child, and you may alienate your spouse.
Simply putting the phone down will help you stay more present and let your spouse know that you care.
Listen Actively
There’s listening, and there’s listening actively. Orient your body toward your partner when they’re speaking. Stay engaged with them so that they know that you’re actively listening. Ask questions, but don’t interrupt them.
Simply being a better conversation partner can do wonders for your marriage.
Surprise Them
When’s the last time you surprised your partner? It can be as simple as leaving them flowers or surprising them with dinner. You can also splurge for something bigger, but it’s a moment where the thought counts as much as (or more than) the actual surprise.
When you surprise your partner, you’re showing them that you care about them and that you’re thinking about them and how to make them happy.
Conclusion
Marriage can be difficult, but an unhappy marriage is never something that should just be accepted. No matter how broken or strong your relationship is, it can always improve.
And if you’re really struggling in your marriage, and the above tips don’t seem to help, you may need to reach out for marriage counseling for additional support.
