Most married couples will experience challenges to their intimacy from time to time. Whether difficult circumstances or busy routines are putting a damper on your alone time, it’s common to have ebbs and flows in your sex life. The key to overcoming intimacy challenges is to intentionally spend time getting closer. Want to reignite your sex life with your spouse for more intimacy and fun? In this post, we’ll explore a few ways you can do just that. Let’s dive right in. 1. Do an intimacy check-in with your spouse. Occasionally, have a check-in with your spouse to gauge both…
Emotional safety is a critical component of any fulfilling marriage. In order for spouses to be able to be truly vulnerable, open, and honest with one another, emotional safety must exist in the relationship. If a couple does not deliberately make emotional safety a part of their relationship, it will become difficult to overcome obstacles and grow closer to one another over time. In short, emotional safety allows us to fully be ourselves, and it’s required if we want to experience all the blessings marriage has to offer. There are several factors that are needed in an emotionally safe marriage,…
Rest is essential for us to thrive. This is true for our bodies, minds, and relationships. If you and your spouse aren’t making the time to rest together, it’s something we strongly recommend. When you take the time to rest with your spouse, you’re able to focus on where you are during this season of life, and the person you chose to spend your life with. Life is busy. Despite that fact, rest is a requirement for health and wellbeing. Let’s look at a few reasons why. Staying in constant motion numbs us. Continual motion goes hand-in-hand with the idea…
A breakdown in intimacy is one of the most difficult challenges therapists, coaches, and clergy face when working with couples. Intimacy embodies the feeling that two spouses know one another more deeply and completely than anyone else. When there is an intimacy deficit in the relationship, the ripple effect impacts communication and raises the couple’s chances of conflict. In order for intimacy to exist, there are two major goals couples must meet consistently over time. When you counsel engaged and married couples, you’ll want to keep these goals in mind. Want to know more? Read on. Communication Skills Good communication…
Gifting one another with regular affirmations is a wonderful way for spouses to stay close and remind each other of their affection. If you’re not regularly making an effort to affirm your spouse, then it’s time to start now–and it’s never too late. Affirmations can be simple. The key is to be heartfelt and genuine, and to let your spouse know how much you love and admire them. How well you love your spouse, and the effort you invest in them, will make a tremendous impact on the quality of your marriage. Today, we’ve gathered five simple affirmations to help…
Daily life is hectic, and it’s a little too easy to forget to live joyfully in the midst of busyness. In marriage as in the rest of life, cultivating joy is essential. Sometimes it takes a little extra effort to make sure we’re giving time and effort to joy. If you’re looking for ways to renew joy in your own marriage, we’ve gathered some quick tips on how to do so. Read on to find out how! 1. Be intimate. When we’re busy and stressed, intimacy is often one of the first things we push to the side. Instead of…
Building a strong, lifelong marriage takes consistent, intentional effort over time. Emotions ebb and flow with seasons and life circumstances. Sometimes love feels like hard work, while other times it’s effortless. Many couples experience times in their relationship when they feel as though they need to refocus on one another. If you feel as though you’ve drifted apart, it might be time to fall in love with your spouse again. The great news is that there are many ways to reset and refresh your marriage. Want to know more? Let’s dive in. Reevaluate your expectations. Often, when feelings between spouses…
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and this year, why not enjoy a romantic date night at home? There are a number of fun, entertaining, and romantic date nights you can create in the comfort of your own space. A date night at home means your comforts are at your fingertips, and it’s a great way to connect intimately with your spouse in multiple ways. Want some ideas for creating an unforgettable “date night in” this Valentine’s Day? Read on. 1. Share a Candlelit Dinner Everyone loves a nice meal, and you can create one in your own kitchen….
Do you appreciate your spouse enough? It’s easy to get swept up into our daily routines and forget to show them appreciation. But fully appreciating your spouse is one key to keeping your love alive and your marriage thriving. Want to know how to appreciate your spouse more? Read on. Notice the Little Things Again Appreciation is all about taking notice of the details that slip past us when we’re caught up in the daily grind. To notice the little things, we have to slow down and be intentional. We must mean to notice the details if we want to…
Dreams can help anchor you when other things in your world are out of control. If you and your spouse are navigating an uncertain time right now, then it’s crucial to keep dreaming together, no matter what’s happening in the world around you. Wondering how to stay focused on your dreams when you’re living through chaos or uncertainty? Read on. 1. Revisit old activities, pastimes, or talents you’ve abandoned. Often, we let go of talents and passions that make us happy because life gets in the way. Reigniting your love of a specific pastime, talent, or activity could help to…