Marriage can be one of the most exciting life experiences as you and your partner navigate life together. You’ve chosen to experience every up and down in life with your partner. And while the journey can be amazing, there are still tough times.
During the difficult moments, you may notice that the connection you have with your partner is hurting. You may worry about how this affects your relationship in the short-term and long-term. But the great thing about marriage is that you’ve chosen to go through it together and work through the tough times.
Many factors can contribute to problems within a marriage. And many of them can often drive a wedge between you and your partner and affect your overall intimacy.
Intimacy in a marriage can mean many things. It isn’t just the physical aspect but rather the emotional connection. When you are in a rut, your marriage’s emotional and physical side can suffer.
So, you may be wondering: how can I save my marriage? Here’s a guide on ten tips for rebuilding intimacy with your partner and taking your marriage to the next level.
Are you and your spouse looking for couples therapy? Schedule an appointment with Dana Behavioral Health today!
1. Make Time
Between work and home life, it can be difficult to find time in your busy schedule to spend time with your spouse. Many people will let their relationship begin to slide when other parts of their life become too energy consuming. And while it’s understandable that other activities in your life can take a lot of your attention, it’s important to carve out time for your partner.
One of the best ways to rebuild intimacy in your relationship is to make time for one another. This can mean that you take breaks from your daily routine, schedule some alone time, and make it a point to do things together. This active effort in the relationship can help rekindle your connection and show your partner that your marriage is a priority in their life.
2. Work Through Conflict
Life is filled with ups and downs that you’ll experience with your partner. And although you may feel like putting aside your problems for later, this can hurt your relationship in the long run. Pent-up feelings of frustration can lead to resentment and cause these ill feelings to come out later. Work through conflicts or problems instead of ignoring them to practice developing problem-solving skills together. This will establish a healthy line of communication that will allow you to work through instead of ignore major issues.
3. Apologize
Don’t be afraid to apologize. No one is perfect, and you’re bound to make big or small mistakes. It’s okay to let your pride down and be the first to say sorry. When someone can take accountability for their actions, it shows their partner that they are commited to work through problems.
It shows their willingness to accept mistakes and the ability to learn and grow from the experience. It can help foster a deeper relationship and allow you to bond over mutual growth.
4. Show Forgiveness
Just as important as apologizing, you should be able to show forgiveness. When you can forgive your partner, it allows both of you to start healing from the situation and will allow you both to move forward. It’s a chance for you and your partner to learn and grow together as you navigate tough life situations.
5. Listen Intently
One of the most important things you can do for your partner is to listen to them. When you listen intently to your partner, it’ll deepen your bond.
Let them talk about their day, their emotions, and their dreams. It shows the person that you care and support them. When you choose to listen intently instead of waiting for your next chance to speak, it lets the spark rekindle and shows the person how much you care.
6. Be Vulnerable
Being vulnerable can be challenging for anyone, even when it comes to sharing things with your partner. You may not want to disclose topics or emotions that you fear may strain your relationship. But your willingness to be vulnerable with your partner shows that you trust them and want to share that deeper part of yourself with them.
When you allow yourself to open up to your partner, you free yourself to experience the greatest growth. It shows your partner that you need support and are willing to work and grow together.
Do you and your spouse need help with communication? Schedule an appointment with Dana Behavioral Health today to start rebuilding that connection!
7. Work Towards Goals
Working towards goals can be a great way to rekindle the intimacy in your marriage. You should both find goals that you’d like to work towards, such as saving for a vacation, buying a new home, or starting a garden. Whatever the goal is, find one that you’re both passionate about and can work towards together.
This can establish a way to bond over a mutual interest and drive you both to be active participants in the marriage. You should also ensure that you have individual goals that you work towards to grow as individuals and together.
8. Hold Hands
Holding hands is a form of physical intimacy. Whether you’re at the grocery store, at home, or in the car, it’s a small loving touch that can build intimacy. The small gesture can mean a lot to your partner and ensure that you’re still prioritizing the small things in your marriage.
Although this small gesture can seem minimal compared to other physical intimacies, the kind gesture shows your ability to enjoy the small love affirmation. Enjoying the big things together can be an amazing feeling, but if you let the small things in your marriage mean just as much, it can rebuild the intimacy in your marriage in a whole new way.
9. Share Appreciation
Many of the small daily tasks done for your partner can sometimes go unnoticed as it becomes a routine. However, showing your appreciation for the things your spouse does can deepen your bond. It shows that what they do for the marriage doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.
10. Go to Counseling
Not every couple has to go to counseling, but even the strongest marriages have problems. Being open to counseling can help you healthily work through difficulties with intimacy. A mediator can help you and your spouse open up about problems you both are facing and allow for open discourse.
How Can Dana Behavioral Health Help Your Marriage?
Dana Behavioral Health offers couples counseling that can help you rebuild your intimacy. Our therapists care about your relationship as much as you do.
The top goal at Dana Behavioral Health is to help people learn about and understand available services to improve their lives. This means that we want to help give you the tools to communicate with your partner and rebuild your connection properly.
We have behavioral health services that utilize the goal set by you and your partner to get your relationship back on track. If you’re ready to find the best therapy fit for your marriage, we can help you.
Are you ready to rebuild the intimacy in your marriage? Schedule an appointment with our therapists at Dana Behavioral Health today!