SKILLS TO HELP MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN YOUR MARRIAGE

 

Friendship is one of the characteristics of a happy and lasting marriage, as well as the foundation of a healthy marriage. couples that have a great friendship have a higher percentage overall of marital satisfaction.  In fact, the emotional connection that married couples share is said to be five times more important than their physical intimacy.  Couples that are friends look forward to spending time together, and genuinely like one another. Their activities and interests actually become enhanced because they have their favorite person with whom to share their life experiences.

Building and nurturing the marital friendship can strengthen a marriage because friendship in marriage is known to build emotional and physical intimacy. Friendship helps married couples to feel safe enough to be more open with one another without worrying about being judged or feeling insecure. Nurturing and building that friendship in marriage does require practice and takes time and effort.

So, here are some marital friendship building skills and techniques to help maintain and strengthen your marriage.

Time: Spend quality time together

Communication: Talk and share about everyday life.

Trust: Be honest and loyal.

Interests: Find common interests
Have fun with one another, laugh together, make lasting memories, do and try new things together.

Goals: Set and work towards life goals with one another, dream together.

Priority: Make your spouse feel like a top priority, respect each other, treat one another equally, cheer on each other’s successes, lean on one another in times of need, appreciate your spouse, be considerate of each other, be forgiving of one another and don’t hold grudges.

Knowing your spouse well is a key element in becoming or remaining best friends with your partner. Playing “get to know you” or “self trivia” games can be a truly helpful and fun exercise. Quiz one another on details such as; name of your elementary school, your blood type, favorite song, or biggest turn on and turn off, make it fun by awarding prizes for; who does household chores, foot or back massages, or the winner gets to pick the next movie or restaurant date.

Physical intimacy may fade in a marriage, but the emotional intimacy needn’t. True friendship lasts a lifetime. If you and your spouse are having difficulties building or nurturing your friendship, a Marriage or maybe  family therapist can help.

BY STEPHANIE E. HEMEN