You are past the infatuation stage of your marriage and find that most of your time is consumed with parental, academic, and/or professional responsibilities-which gives you very little time for personal interests.
As a result, each day becomes an exhausting routine that leaves you unmotivated, discouraged, and uninterested in anything-especially romance.
Before long, your marriage has become a dead existence.
But if done consistently, there are 6 ways to ignite the fire and spice up your marriage.
1.
Communication Communication is an integral part of any relationship-especially marriage.
However, many find it difficult to effectively communicate due to several reasons.
For example, there may be some unresolved issues, fear of rejection, or loss of trust.
Although these problems raise serious concerns, lack of communication can cause them to become worse.
Neil and Samahria Kaufman, founders of the Option Institute, a nonprofit, educational organization that focuses on self-improvement, conducted a survey and reported that the average life span of a live-in relationship is three years, and eighty-seven percent of women who were surveyed ranked communication as a very important component in a relationship.
Of this number thirty-seven percent described their relationships as strained with no substantial reason regarding why.
Despite this, effective communication can be initiated in a way that is designed to heal even the most strained relationships.
1.
Timing is everything.
Avoid serious conversation during rest and leisure.
2.
Avoid the "blame game".
Be honest and open about your relationship 3.
Emphatically listen.
Do not mentally argue.
4.
Monitor your tone 5.
Apologize when necessary 6.
Pay attention to nonverbal clues (e.
g.
rolling eyes, heavy breathing, and etc).
2.
Change Your Scenery Breaking the monotony and changing your scenery by visiting places that are both breathtaking and exotic fosters a sense of romance and adventure.
It also gives couples uninterrupted time to reconnect while decreasing stress.
Dr.
Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.
D, and Professor of Psychology wrote an article in Psychology Today that confirms the importance of vacations.
One of the major benefits of a vacation is its ability to break the stress cycle.
Ultimately, this is believed to help prevent chronic stress which is often a contributing factor to low resistance to fight infections.
3.
Create Intimate, Romantic Moments Many people make this more complicated than it seems but creating romantic moments can be quite simple.
For example, this may include taking picnics, excursions, a visit to the mountains, or breakfast in bed.
These moments should not be forced.
Instead, they should be authentic, private, and tailored to please your spouse.
4.
Sexual Healing The power of touch is amazing! Intimate touching strengthens and solidifies a relationship.
Not only that, it has some wonderful health benefits.
WebMD reports that people who have sex regularly have higher levels of what defends your body from germs and viruses.
According to Yvonne K.
Fulbright, PhD and sexual expert, those who are sexually active have fewer sick days.
Other benefits include lower blood pressure, balanced estrogen and testosterone levels, and decrease chance of getting heart disease.
Not only is sex healthy, but it fosters a deeper emotional connection.
5.
Take an interest What better way is there to reignite romance than to reacquaint yourself with your spouse? Oftentimes, relationships are stale because either one or both parties fail to show concern for the other.
Showing genuine concern is a small act of kindness that produces positive results in any relationship.
In fact, studies have proven that this factor can significantly change the course of a relationship and make it more successful.
In contrast, couples who do not take an interest in their spouse risk breakdown in communication that can create walls of distrust and isolation.
6.
Spend Quality Time It is difficult to claim a healthy relationship if quality time is never spent.
Quality time is defined differently for many, but the overall purpose should be to reaffirm and reconnect you to your spouse.
Spending quality is an intentional, consistent effort that must be made throughout the life of a relationship.
Without it, you lose a sense of purpose.
There are several contributing factors that cause couples to sacrifice quality time such as: sleep deprivation, parental, professional and civic responsibilities, which can lead to dissatisfaction as stated by Amy Marshall, contributing writer of http://www.
everythingmom.
com.
in the Southeast Missourian.
In addition, this can significantly increases chances for infidelity.
Fortunately, there are fun, creative ways to spend quality time.
For example, couples can plan a date night, cook together, or attend an event of shared interest.
This sparks conversation while helping couples to revisit those activities they enjoy.
Marriage is more than a contractual agreement, but it is a unique relationship that requires love, support, and maintenance.
As demonstrated, a happy marriage can help couples maintain healthy, more fulfilling lives.
The lack of attention and concern can detrimentally affect generations.
Therefore, finding ways to reignite the romance no longer becomes an option but a necessity for a healthy, long-lasting relationship.
As a result, each day becomes an exhausting routine that leaves you unmotivated, discouraged, and uninterested in anything-especially romance.
Before long, your marriage has become a dead existence.
But if done consistently, there are 6 ways to ignite the fire and spice up your marriage.
1.
Communication Communication is an integral part of any relationship-especially marriage.
However, many find it difficult to effectively communicate due to several reasons.
For example, there may be some unresolved issues, fear of rejection, or loss of trust.
Although these problems raise serious concerns, lack of communication can cause them to become worse.
Neil and Samahria Kaufman, founders of the Option Institute, a nonprofit, educational organization that focuses on self-improvement, conducted a survey and reported that the average life span of a live-in relationship is three years, and eighty-seven percent of women who were surveyed ranked communication as a very important component in a relationship.
Of this number thirty-seven percent described their relationships as strained with no substantial reason regarding why.
Despite this, effective communication can be initiated in a way that is designed to heal even the most strained relationships.
1.
Timing is everything.
Avoid serious conversation during rest and leisure.
2.
Avoid the "blame game".
Be honest and open about your relationship 3.
Emphatically listen.
Do not mentally argue.
4.
Monitor your tone 5.
Apologize when necessary 6.
Pay attention to nonverbal clues (e.
g.
rolling eyes, heavy breathing, and etc).
2.
Change Your Scenery Breaking the monotony and changing your scenery by visiting places that are both breathtaking and exotic fosters a sense of romance and adventure.
It also gives couples uninterrupted time to reconnect while decreasing stress.
Dr.
Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.
D, and Professor of Psychology wrote an article in Psychology Today that confirms the importance of vacations.
One of the major benefits of a vacation is its ability to break the stress cycle.
Ultimately, this is believed to help prevent chronic stress which is often a contributing factor to low resistance to fight infections.
3.
Create Intimate, Romantic Moments Many people make this more complicated than it seems but creating romantic moments can be quite simple.
For example, this may include taking picnics, excursions, a visit to the mountains, or breakfast in bed.
These moments should not be forced.
Instead, they should be authentic, private, and tailored to please your spouse.
4.
Sexual Healing The power of touch is amazing! Intimate touching strengthens and solidifies a relationship.
Not only that, it has some wonderful health benefits.
WebMD reports that people who have sex regularly have higher levels of what defends your body from germs and viruses.
According to Yvonne K.
Fulbright, PhD and sexual expert, those who are sexually active have fewer sick days.
Other benefits include lower blood pressure, balanced estrogen and testosterone levels, and decrease chance of getting heart disease.
Not only is sex healthy, but it fosters a deeper emotional connection.
5.
Take an interest What better way is there to reignite romance than to reacquaint yourself with your spouse? Oftentimes, relationships are stale because either one or both parties fail to show concern for the other.
Showing genuine concern is a small act of kindness that produces positive results in any relationship.
In fact, studies have proven that this factor can significantly change the course of a relationship and make it more successful.
In contrast, couples who do not take an interest in their spouse risk breakdown in communication that can create walls of distrust and isolation.
6.
Spend Quality Time It is difficult to claim a healthy relationship if quality time is never spent.
Quality time is defined differently for many, but the overall purpose should be to reaffirm and reconnect you to your spouse.
Spending quality is an intentional, consistent effort that must be made throughout the life of a relationship.
Without it, you lose a sense of purpose.
There are several contributing factors that cause couples to sacrifice quality time such as: sleep deprivation, parental, professional and civic responsibilities, which can lead to dissatisfaction as stated by Amy Marshall, contributing writer of http://www.
everythingmom.
com.
in the Southeast Missourian.
In addition, this can significantly increases chances for infidelity.
Fortunately, there are fun, creative ways to spend quality time.
For example, couples can plan a date night, cook together, or attend an event of shared interest.
This sparks conversation while helping couples to revisit those activities they enjoy.
Marriage is more than a contractual agreement, but it is a unique relationship that requires love, support, and maintenance.
As demonstrated, a happy marriage can help couples maintain healthy, more fulfilling lives.
The lack of attention and concern can detrimentally affect generations.
Therefore, finding ways to reignite the romance no longer becomes an option but a necessity for a healthy, long-lasting relationship.