The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but they can also be a source of burnout and exhaustion. When the holidays feel stressful, they eventually become difficult to enjoy. If you and your spouse have been feeling burned out around the holidays, it’s time to start reducing stress so you can enjoy the celebrations together again. In this post, we’re sharing three important ways to avoid burnout and over-commitment during the holidays. If you’re ready to gather some important tips to help you take back your joy this year, keep reading. 1. Make your holiday plans as far ahead…
During the holidays, we don’t always emphasize good health. But being psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy sets the stage for enjoyable family interactions and holiday celebrations throughout the season. In this post, we’re sharing a few ways you can focus on your own well-being during the holidays – to the benefit of your marriage and family. Give Yourself the Gift of Healthy Self-Talk We don’t often pay enough attention to our self-talk, but it’s a key component to becoming a healthier person. When we speak to ourselves with love and respect, we’re more likely to be loving and respectful toward…
Thanksgiving is a time of year when gratitude is at the forefront of our minds. We go out of our way to talk about the things and people we’re thankful for during the holiday season. But gratitude – especially for your spouse – is in season all year long. In today’s post, we’re sharing some of our all-time best gratitude resources from the blog. If you’re looking for some special ways to tell your husband or wife thank you any time of year, then keep reading. 1. Gratitude is a Practice First, it’s important to understand that gratitude is a…
It’s almost Thanksgiving, and for many couples, the holidays bring opportunities to nurture family harmony. It’s common for couples to experience family conflict during the holiday season, especially since there are so many events and gatherings to attend. You’re likely spending more time together than usual. There are also traditions to consider – and traditions tend to carry a lot of emotion for those who hold them dear. However, it’s possible to emphasize harmony over conflict when you gather with family for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. When you approach family gatherings in a loving way – even difficult…
Do your spouse’s friends make you feel bad about yourself? It’s incredibly painful when your spouse’s friends belittle, make fun of you, or otherwise treat you in a way that makes you feel inferior. Not only is it wrong of them; it hurts when your spouse doesn’t seem to notice how you’re feeling. So how are you supposed to handle this situation? Friendship dynamics that make you feel badly about yourself must be addressed between you and your spouse. If this situation is left to fester unresolved, it will continue to erode your self-worth. Ultimately, it will negatively impact your…
Do you and your spouse disagree on politics, social issues, or other deeply-held beliefs? As individuals, we’re deeply impacted by how we see the world around us. Maybe we’re passionate about certain issues or causes, and we don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye with our spouse. Sometimes, these beliefs and opinions could be totally at odds. We’ve all experienced and observed heated conversations and disagreements about political and social issues. These exchanges can leave us feeling upset and depleted. If you’ve found yourself in that position with your spouse, it can be incredibly uncomfortable. The question is, can spouses with different political…
When a spouse cheats, what should the innocent party do next? If you’ve ever discovered a spouse’s affair, you know that facing infidelity in your marriage is a heart-wrenching experience. You suffer emotionally, psychologically, and sometimes even physically as the grief sets in. But even though you’re carrying a lot of pain right now, there’s hope. We have seen many couples face infidelity over our years as therapists. While it’s possible to face this experience together and come out stronger on the other side, infidelity jolts a marriage like nothing else. The heartbreak is very real, and if you’re facing…
Looking to deepen your intimacy with your spouse? Ready to reinvigorate your sex life? If you want to keep intimacy alive, you have to nurture it – not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually, too. Last week in part one, we shared some of our top resources for cultivating intimacy in the bedroom and beyond. In this article, we’re sharing additional tips and support for you. Read on for more guidance and ideas to help strengthen your marriage and keep the spark alive. 1. 5 Tips for Igniting More Romance in Your Marriage Romance is an essential part of marital…
Intimacy is both an important and multifaceted part of marriage. It’s important to nurture your intimacy on many levels: physical, emotional, and even spiritual. As our relationships progress, life throws curveballs our way, and sometimes it can be challenging to stay as close as we once were. In this two-part series, we’re highlighting some of our most valuable articles all about intimacy. These resources will help you to navigate a variety of situations in your marriage. When you stay focused on nurturing your intimacy, you’re much more likely to keep that spark alive. Let’s take a look at some of…
If you’re worried about protecting your marriage from infidelity, there’s good news: it means you care deeply about the commitment you’ve made to your spouse. The two of you have something special, and you’re dedicated to seeing it through. There are many steps you can take to protect your marriage from an affair, including open communication, setting boundaries, and meeting each other’s needs. In this article, we’re sharing a few things you can start doing right away to help one another feel loved and secure. Let’s get started. Tell Each Other How Much You Value Your Relationship One important way…