Strong, lasting, healthy marriages take work. But there are some really easy ways to make your marriage better with little effort and hardly any time.
1. Give your spouse a sincere compliment
This is great for two reasons: One, you get to remember or think of something you love about your spouse; and two, it makes your spouse not only feel good about themselves, but toward you as well - or, as one article calls it, being "wooed."
Saying something nice to and about your husband or wife can do wonders for your romantic connection and your relationship. It can be anything from "I love how that color makes your eyes sparkle," to "You are such a wonderful cook/breadwinner/father/mother/singer, etc." Think of something to say; but make sure it's genuine and from your heart. Don't give empty compliments; your spouse will know if you don't really mean it.
2. Show affection
When you enter the same room as your spouse, give him or her a kiss. Embrace your spouse lovingly. Hold hands while sitting next to each other on the couch. It doesn't have to be anything major; it's the little touches and affectionate moments that make all the difference.
"Research shows that touching creates a stronger bond by releasing Oxytocin. So hold hands, rub shoulders, hug, kiss, give fist-bumps, whatever. But be sure you're affectionate," states the aforementioned article. These affectionate touches can lead to greater intimacy - not just sex; but it can lead to that, too (wink, wink).
3. Spend time talking to each other
Whether you have to lock your bedroom door to keep the kids out for 10 minutes or wait until you're tucked into bed to be alone, take the time to talk to each other. Talk about what happened throughout the day. Reminisce about the day you met, your first date, the first time you kissed each other, how you proposed, your wedding day or some funny or embarrassing stories you experienced together.
Spending time together like this allows you to reconnect to each other and stirs your old romantic feelings - the excitement, butterflies and elation - you felt earlier in your relationship. Those feelings are still important and can help rekindle your love for each other.
Whether you've been married one year or 50 years, these are simple day-to-day things you can do to maintain your relationship and keep it fresh. They're so easy, you may find it becoming a natural part of your behavior. Give sincere compliments, be affectionate and make conversation between you and your spouse a priority in your day. With hardly any effort and a small amount of time, you can improve your marriage by tonight. It's totally worth it.
