A healthy and successful marriage is no small feat. It requires getting through bad and good days together and finding ways to work with each other to build a foundation of satisfaction. While statistics swirl around about a 50 percent divorce rate, you should know it’s not all doom and gloom.
There are plenty of interventions that couples can take action with to improve their marriage, even in minor ways. If you want to focus on maintaining your marriage and long-lived success with your partner, then consider these three tips for a happy, healthy relationship.
1. Always remember to celebrate your anniversary.
No matter who you are or how long you’ve been together, you need to celebrate your anniversary. Celebrating this occasion means you’re taking the time to celebrate the work you’ve put in as a couple. It’s a way of recognizing and rewarding the commitment that you made to one another however many years ago.
Maybe you’ve hit a wall when looking for a present for your partner after three anniversary celebrations and now you’re looking for 4th anniversary gifts, but you just can’t seem to find the right item. A great way to impress your partner is to purchase a thoughtful gift from Shutterfly, where you’ll find a wide variety of personalized items. You could order canvas prints of your favorite photos together or personalized glasses and a bottle of wine.
Traditionally speaking, the fourth anniversary is associated with flowers and fruit. With this in mind, maybe you can buy a bouquet and make a thoughtful cheeseboard packed with delectable chocolate and fruits they love. Regardless of what you decide, choosing to celebrate your relationship milestones is a great way to enhance your marriage.
2. Consider improving your relationship with counseling.
Let’s face it: At the end of the day, you and your partner are just humans. Sometimes, it’s challenging when relationship problems arise in a marriage because you’re not licensed like a certified counselor to handle intimacy or relationship issues. If you’ve been experiencing relationship struggles for some time, then it’s a smart idea to start couples counseling.
Even if you’re not currently experiencing any problems in your relationship but it’s been a sore subject in the past, counseling services are a wise choice to keep in mind. In relationship therapy, you’ll work with your therapist and spouse. Together, you’ll learn how to work through disagreements with better conflict resolution, how to show affection, how to increase your intimacy and improve your sex life, and maybe even how to strengthen your bond. All of these skills are attainable, and they pave the way toward a more fulfilling and ultimately better relationship.
3. Make time for one another whenever possible.
The final key takeaway for building a successful marriage is to make time for each member of the couple. Life is full of distractions, and a married couple knows this best as they take on careers, bills, children, pets, and so many other responsibilities. While all of these things are high-priority, so is your partner.
Always remember to carve out time for your partner. One idea is to spend 10 minutes together every morning enjoying your morning coffee or tea before your kids wake up. Another idea is to make it a habit to cuddle on the couch while watching television or reading in bed to improve your intimacy. If you’re someone who needs a schedule to function, then literally schedule time to spend with your partner on your calendar. This way, you know you’re dedicating time to them instead of leaving it as the final part of the day that may or may not come to fruition. Overall, these simple tweaks can create positive changes for the rest of your marriage.
