(Yolanda Hadid)
The honeymoon phase of a relationship is marked by intense affection and excitement at the prospect of being with your sweetheart.
But, how long does the honeymoon phase last after marriage? And what can we do to make sure that we have a happy and successful marriage?
If your goal is to have a healthy and happy relationship, one that lasts a lifetime, read on to discover seven marriage tips from real couples.
1. Share Your Hobbies
“One of the biggest tips I can say is to find something you both enjoy doing, and do it together whenever you can! My wife and I both play instruments, so we’ve formed a little 2-person band in our garage. I would rather play guitar with her than anyone else in the world – and that’s saying a lot!”
-Shane, 30, married 10 years.
A great way to build a successful and lasting marriage is by sharing fun times with your spouse. Get out of the routine and go play. Live the adventure together.
Doing unique activities together boosts affection, increases communication and cooperation, and gifts some great date opportunities. These dynamic studies show how shared activity promotes marital bliss.
2. Institute Tech-Free Time
“One of the best things my husband and I have ever done is create a ‘tech-free’ time during the day. We both work from home, so we’re constantly on our devices. During the dinner hour we turn our phones off as well as the TV and use the quiet time to really enjoy one another”
-Sofia, 35, married 12 years.
Phones, computers, and tablets are used on a daily basis to communicate with friends and family and to do work. While they can be necessary at times, studies have shown that cell phone addiction can cause depression, disconnection, and lower relationship satisfaction.
A Baylor University study found that cell phone addiction can even make your partner feel ignored, unimportant, and lonely.
By instituting an hour or more of tech-free time with your spouse, you’ll be able to give uninterrupted attention to one another and truly celebrate your bond of love.
3. Spend Quality Time Together
“My daughter suggested that her dad and I start having a date night twice a month. We couldn’t be happier with the results! We are closer than ever before and both count down the days until we can have another date night together.”
-Christine, 47, married 25 years.
Having a regular date night is a great way to spend quality time with your spouse. Devote one night a week to having a romantic or fun night out with your partner. Walk the halls of a museum. Check out that new restaurant. Break out the dancing shoes. Sip some wine on a riverbank. Get some ice cream.
Whatever you used to do back when you first met… go and do it!
Studies show that couples who have a regular date night enhance their romance, their communication, and their longevity compared to those who don’t devote the time for one another.
4. Develop Conflict Resolution Skills
“If you don’t know how to solve your problems as a team, you’ll be lost. You’re either on the same side, or you’re not. And above all else, learn how to apologize!”
-Terrance, 50, married 31 years.
In a survey of 886 divorcing couples, 53% cited the inability to communicate as a factor that led to their separation. If you can’t communicate, you can’t exist together.
Therefore, if couples want a successful marriage, we must learn how to resolve conflict in the relationship by building our communication levels.
When resolving issues, talk to each other face to face. Texting is convenient, yes, but simply is not a replacement for verbal tone, eye contact and touch.
Don’t use an argument as an excuse to belittle your partner or call attention to their past mistakes. Remember that you’re partners, not enemies. Anyone can argue. The happy couple can compromise.
5. Leave Work at the Door
“My wife and I have a strict agreement not to talk about work when we’re having a date night together. All work does is stress us out, so why ruin a perfectly good night off together talking about it?”
-Harold, 37, married 11 years.
Your spouse loves you, and you have the right to talk to them about anything, but too much talk about work can simply be overwhelming.
Work-stress can creep into a relationship. You like each other, right? Talk about something else!
Also, It can make your spouse resentful of your job if they feel you are putting work before your relationship. Romance is better than the bottom line.
6. Communicate Regularly
“I attribute the success of our marriage entirely to being able to talk with my husband about anything. We communicate about problems, happy occasions, or just for fun. It keeps us feeling close to one another no matter where we are in our lives.”
-Angela, 42, married 16 years.
One of the best marriage tips for a successful relationship is to communicate with your spouse on a daily basis.
Communication can help you clear up potential misunderstandings and promotes a happier relationship.
Not only does communication deepen your marital bond, but studies show that communication is positively correlated with boosted relationship quality and sexual satisfaction.
Practice healthy communication by having a regular marriage check-in each month to discuss your relationship. Be open and honest with each another. Don’t let the little stuff spiral out of control.
7. Make Time for Intimacy
“My wife and I make time to be intimate together – emotional, physical, pick one and we make it a priority! It helps us to be more patient with one another and definitely makes our relationship more enjoyable.”
-Ryan, 35, married 13 years.
Intimacy is essential for a successful marriage.
Physical intimacy—such as making love, cuddling, or simply holding hands— is felt by humans and shown by science to elevate trust, lower stress, and bring couples closer.
Building a successful marriage can be exciting and it can be difficulty—but it is ultimately greatly rewarding. Couples benefit when they spend quality time together, view each other as best friends, and hone positive communication skills. By following these marriage tips, couples can build a healthy, happy relationship—full of laughter and love—that lasts a lifetime.
Author Bio: Rachael Pace is a relationship expert with years of experience helping couples achieve happiness. She has trained countless people and organizations around the world to discover effective and efficient solutions to achieve healthy and successful relationships. Rachael is a featured writer for Marriage.com.
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