Are you curious about the secret recipe to a good marriage? Just like yoga nourishes the mind and body, there are ten things you can do to sustain a happy and prosperous marriage. Whether you’re single, newly-wed, or engaged, this article will help you handle conflicts constructively, offer emotional support, and help you create and maintain a healthy relationship. Let’s go!
1. Trust and Honesty
A good or, rather, perfect marriage is built on trust. According to AstroInner’s Dorian, trust is built on three things;
- Fidelity - Being in a relationship or marriage means remaining faithful to your spouse regardless of the issues in your union.
- Honesty - As a couple, you should be honest about yourself, what you’re thinking or feeling, and your successes or failures.
- Behaviors - You should behave a certain way toward your spouse or lover. Treat each other respectfully, be patient, and loop each other in on your daily escapades.
Remember your partner trusted you and judgements about whom to trust keep us safe and alive and feeling contented with our love lives.
2. Effective Communication
Communication is one of the significant pillars of happiness in marriage. For a successful marriage, we should speak up about our needs, likes, dislikes, agreements, and disagreements. Keep the communication lines open to discard negative vibes, thoughts, or emotions.
Don’t assume you know what your partner is thinking or feeling. You’re no angel. Instead, ask them and be prepared to listen attentively to everything they have to say. In a relationship, spouses are best friends who can share almost everything without fearing judgment.
3. Mutual Respect
Respect is one of the pillars of a good marriage. By definition, it’s how a person treats something or someone they value. If you value your spouse highly, you’ll treat them with honor and dignity. Show them respect in a way they’ll understand and appreciate.
You should understand that men feel valuable when they solve a problem, while women feel valued when they have someone who listens and understands them. This pillar of value helps husbands and wives hold each other in high esteem.
4. Emotional Support and Understanding
Sometimes it’s not all about fixing a problem, but expressing what we’re feeling and finding a connection. A husband’s role is to become a student to the wife and the wife’s duty is to become a student of her husband, says Dorian.
Are you aware of how your spouse reacts in volatile situations? How do they feel and communicate? Are you aware of what they love to eat? These, among other questions, lie answers a couple should know about each other for them to grow a successful marriage.
5. Shared Goals and Values
Did you have New Year's resolutions as a couple? I’m not saying they’re necessary, but you and your partner should pursue the same life paths, goals, beliefs, and values. It can include, having children or not, attending or not attending religious services, or how to spend money.
How do you see yourself in 10 years? Always aim for growth as a couple. Maybe you can start investing now for an easier tomorrow. Investing in marriage equates to investing in our union as a couple, our values, principles, and finances to build a great future together.
6. Healthy Conflict Resolution
Learn to resolve conflicts quickly and with empathy. Bring up arguments softly and without blame, as this allows you as a couple to calmly engage in conflict resolution and manage your emotions better. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
Instead of going to bed angry at each other, solve your issues amicably once they arise for a good relationship. Common and minor problems, if not solved diligently, can result in the biggest and most complicated issues that can break a marriage. So, be on the radar.
7. Quality Time Together
Don’t allow your marriage or relationship to go on autopilot by being absorbed by the busyness of life. Instead, be intentional about spending quality time together and engaging in activities that you both enjoy and make you happy.
Some good activities that bring happiness and friendship to marriage include running a 5K together, couples retreats, a trip together, or even playing cards. What makes a relationship great is being best friends first, and everything else will flow like a river.
8. Emotional and Physical Intimacy
Intimacy requires emotional vulnerability, honesty, and comfort between two lovers. If you avoid intimacy, you might find yourself isolated like two roommates and in regular conflict with each other. Intimacy can be categorized into four types, including;
- Experiential intimacy: This type of intimacy happens when a couple bonds during leisure activities, such as redecorating the house, swimming, or watching movies. They create a rhythm with each other.
- Emotional intimacy: Such intimacy happens when a couple shares their feelings with each other even uncomfortable ones. Not using other’s insecurities against emotional closeness.
- Intellectual intimacy: This occurs when a couple shares ideas and opinions even when they disagree. What matters is how they discuss, solve, and apply the lessons learnt. You should enjoy each other’s suggestions without feeling the need to win.
- Physical or Sexual Intimacy: Is sex important in marriage? Yes, very. As a couple, you should be sexual with each other as it’s strongly rewarding and bonding for couples. Be aware of how the other prefers to be touched and the sexual activities they pleasure in.
9. Independence and Individuality
Happy couples give each other space and respect that you are two different individuals. Each person needs their time to explore self-discovery. Without knowing much about yourself, it’ll be hard to learn about your partner.
Alone time better equips you to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as you seek your inner self. As a person, read books, go to the gym, cycle, or do yoga to strengthen your bond and be ready to discover new things about your significant other.
10. Commitment and Dedication
Every marriage and relationship has its ups and downs. But it’s how you go through the challenges that determine how you come out at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes you feel like giving up on the marriage, and other times, you are so content with yourself and your partner.
All these things will happen, but giving up on a marriage is the easy way out. Rather, strive to laugh together often, confide in each other, decently discuss downhills together, and work on projects together.
Conclusion
As we have seen, the secret to a happy marriage is talking to each other, whether you’re mad, sad, or happy. Always keep each other in the loop without any emotional surprises. Also, you should like yourself when you’re with them and most importantly be positive and always believe that your guardian angel will always want the best for you.
