It’s probably quite obvious to you that in order to have a healthy relationship, you need to spend quality time with your partner. But what exactly is quality time? Below are some ideas on how you can incorporate meaningful, quality time into your marriage. Togetherness One of the crucial aspects of spending quality time with each other is togetherness. But being together does not have to do with just being in close proximity to one another. Togetherness is about giving your spouse your undivided attention. You may think you are spending time together by sitting on the couch watching TV. Yes, you are together in the sense that you are…

Chasing and attacking a partner who is less active can be miserable experience Each partner in a marriage behaves in a certain way. When it comes to arguments and confrontations, one partner typically attacks or pursues and the other one withdraws or stays passive. Being active and pursuing a partner that is passive can be a very unpleasant experience. The passive partner usually sees the more active partner as someone who lets their anger and irritation get the best out of them. People who take on withdrawing roles and those who may witness a conflict are typically completely unaware of all the hurt and fear that active people feel deep…

A gift is a visual symbol of love. While showering your significant other with expensive gifts can be nice, it is not the only way to show your love. Gifts can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Some cost thousands of dollars and some are free. Read on for some tips about why and how gift-giving can be an important tool in strengthening your marriage. Gifts and money We all have our own perception of money and our feelings associated with spending it. If you are a spender, you might enjoy purchasing gifts for your spouse. If you are a saver, it may be a little more…

Integrity and ethical values are essential elements in a happy life and marriage. That entails not only telling the truth but, principally, living the truth.  Ethical and honest people have no secrets or hidden agendas. They are truthful with themselves, their spouses, their family, their friends and their colleagues. From this article, you will learn about six questions that will tell you whether you are living an honest life that can bring happiness to you and your marriage, or whether you have something you need to work on.   Do you get angry often? Anger usually stems from inner conflicts we have – frustration, insecurity, stress, financial concerns, strained relations.…

Shame can block you from experiencing other emotions and prevent you from communicating with your spouse. For a change to happen, you need to accept that something is wrong and then deal with your other feelings. The problem with shame is that shame is about acceptance. If you don’t accept yourself and believe that others are rejecting you, working on these beliefs may take time. Other feelings, such as fear, vulnerability and anger are easier to work with. However, the process of dealing with these feelings and moving to this level of vulnerability requires extreme care. From this article you will learn about 5 steps that can help you work…

Our mindset is a crucial element of happiness. In this sense, the concept of “flow” relates to achieving a positive state of consciousness through challenging activities that are especially satisfying. It means finding your true self by engaging in tasks that you love to do and with people that you love. From this article, you will learn the four steps in the process of getting into a flow and becoming deeply involved with activities that will bring you happiness in your personal life and also in your marriage.   Step 1: Identify flow sources Getting into flow requires using abilities to tackle demanding situations. Skills and challenges feed on each…

Our society has become so busy that people sometimes forget the importance of spending quality time with one another. Social media has made people more independent and some people feel that having minimal contact with a person is okay even when that person is their spouse. From this article, you will learn about four ways you can spend time with your spouse that are beneficial to your health.   Coffee, coffee, coffee For many people, drinking coffee is like having a sip of blissful heaven in the morning. Coffee has a lot of health benefits. It improves your daily mental state, it can lower the risk of liver disease and…

What are my primary emotional needs? We all have needs, including emotional ones. Everyone wants to feel like they belong, like they are wanted, loved, and mean something. All of these needs are a part of human nature. These natural desires are what fuels our self-esteem. We all share these wants, but everyone has a unique set of desires. In a healthy marriage, both spouses need to have an understanding. Both individuals must feel respect from and for each other and others.  Understanding each other’s primary emotional needs, and working to respond to them will strengthen your marriage.   Am I being responsive to your emotional needs? Not all our…

Family life can be hectic, stressful and time-consuming. It’s not like when you were single and living on your own. You have to keep the kids occupied, the dog happy and your life running smoothly. These are all great things happening in your life, but they are also a lot of work and it gets harder to find time for yourself. Time to unwind and recharge. Sometimes you only have a few minutes. Well, make those few minutes count by unplugging and relaxing in these unexpected everyday places:   In line at the coffee shop What a hectic morning, and it’s not even 9 o’clock yet. As you wait in…

In the 21st century, people have another exciting form of dating. They simply have to create accounts on their favorite dating websites and seek a marriage partner. While online dating is seen as the last resort when searching a life partner, some people can swear by it. They found their spouse online, had a few dates, decided they were fit for each other and tied the knot. Although internet dating has simplified the way we meet lovers, there is one more concern. Does internet love work? Do internet lovers form lasting marriage relationships? There are two answers to these questions—yes and no. Some couples who met online are in happy…