Marriage is a beautiful bond that brings two people together for a lifetime of love, companionship, and growth, or at least thats what it should be.. However, building and maintaining a happy marriage is not always easy, and yes, it takes alot of effort, commitment, and a willingness to work through challenges together.
Regardless of whether you are newlyweds.. or have been married for many years, there are certain things you can do to strengthen your relationship and ensure a happy and fulfilling life together. A happy life together doesn’t mean you won’t experience trials, pain or sadness, but it does mean you can get through those tough times together and use those experiences to strengthen your relationship and bring you closer together.
In this article, we will explore the best things couples can do to have and maintain a happy marriage. And we will cover the most common mistakes that can really cause hurt and harm to your relationship.
We also did a great podcast on relationship issues couples have in marriage and how to address them. Check out the podcast here 122. Common Relationship Issues In Marriage And How To Address Them
The Things That Happy Couples Do
We all know there are significant differences between happy and unhappy couples. You can see happy couples (and miserable couples) just by looking at them and in the way they communicate and treat each other. Here are some of the things and qualities that happy couples do very well in their relationship and marriage.
Communication
Effective communication is essential for a healthy marriage. Couples should take the time to listen to each other’s concerns and feelings, and work together to find solutions that work for both partners. It’s also important to be honest and open with each other, even when it’s difficult.
Quality Time
Spending quality time together is crucial for building a strong connection and creating lasting memories. This can involve anything from date nights to shared hobbies to just spending time talking and laughing together. Date Night is the key to a happy and healthy marriage. If you want your marriage to change quickly, do this one thing.
Trust
Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship. Couples should be able to rely on each other and keep their promises. This means being honest and transparent with each other, and avoiding behaviors that can erode trust, such as lying or keeping secrets.
Respect
Mutual respect is crucial in a happy marriage. Couples should treat each other with kindness and respect, even during disagreements. This means avoiding disrespectful behavior, such as belittling or dismissing each other’s opinions.
Compromise
Relationships involve give-and-take. Couples should be willing to compromise and find solutions that work for both partners. This means being open to each other’s needs and desires, and finding ways to meet in the middle.
Forgiveness
No one is perfect, and couples will inevitably make mistakes. It’s important to be able to forgive each other and move forward. This means letting go of past hurts and focusing on the present and future of the relationship.
Shared Goals
Having shared goals and working together towards them can help couples feel a sense of purpose and create a shared vision for their future. This means being open and transparent about individual goals and finding ways to support each other in achieving them.
Intimacy
Physical intimacy is important in a healthy marriage, but emotional intimacy is just as crucial. Couples should prioritize emotional connection and work on deepening their emotional bond. This means being vulnerable and open with each other, and taking the time to nurture the emotional side of the relationship. Couples should also try to connect physically and sexually as often as they can as physical intimacy and emotional intimacy often go hand in hand.
Gratitude
Expressing gratitude towards each other can help couples stay positive and appreciate the good in their relationship. This means being mindful of each other’s efforts and expressing appreciation and gratitude for them.
Support
Being there for each other during difficult times is an essential part of a happy marriage. Couples should offer support and encouragement to each other, no matter what challenges they face. This means being a source of strength and comfort for each other, and working together to overcome obstacles.
For another great blog post, check out “The 10 differences between unhappy and happy couples.”
The Common Mistakes Couples Make
Ok, now let’s talk about the most common mistakes couples make and the things you will want to avoid in your marriage.
Breakdown with communication
Couples who do not communicate effectively can end up feeling misunderstood and disconnected from each other. This is something we struggled with in our marriage for many years and had to learn the hard way.
Lack of trust
A lack of trust can create a negative cycle where partners are suspicious of each other’s actions, leading to further distrust and resentment.
Taking each other for granted
When couples stop appreciating each other and start taking each other for granted, it can create feelings of neglect and resentment.
Neglecting intimacy
When couples neglect physical and emotional intimacy, it can lead to a sense of disconnection and unhappiness. Both emotional intimacy and physical intimacy go hand in hand. It is very hard to have one without the other.
Selfishness
When one or both partners focus too much on their own needs and desires, it can create a sense of imbalance in the relationship.
Holding onto grudges
When a spouse can’t let things go and continues to hold a grudge against the other spouse, this can cause disconnect between both of them.
Building a happy marriage is a lifelong journey that requires ongoing effort, communication, and dedication from both spouses. By prioritizing communication, trust, respect, compromise, forgiveness, shared goals, intimacy, gratitude, and support, couples can create a strong and fulfilling relationship that lasts. Work on the things that happy couples do, and try to avoid the common mistakes many couples make.
Ultimate Intimacy
If you’re a couple looking to spice things up in your relationship physically and emotionally, then you need to check out the Ultimate Intimacy App! The app has everything! Bedroom games, conversation starters, hundreds of resources, non graphic sex positions (iPhone only) and so much more! Best of all, it’s FREE to download! So what are you waiting for? Find out why over 600,000 couples have downloaded the app and it has close to a 5 star rating with thousands of reviews.
