Learn how to build emotional intimacy in a relationship with these tips!
A happy, healthy marriage is something that many people strive for. Maintaining a solid relationship can be challenging, but it's definitely worth the effort. You can do many things to create a happy, healthy marriage. Here are some tips to get you started!
1. What is a happy, healthy marriage, and why do you want one
2. How to build emotional intimacy in a relationship
3. Tips for creating a lasting, happy marriage
What is a happy, healthy marriage, and why do you want one?
A happy, healthy marriage involves more than simply staying married to the same person for the rest of your days. It's also about enjoying each other's company to its fullest, respecting one another even in times of disagreement, knowing that you always have someone who is in your corner, and much more. A happy, healthy marriage is something worth building, so do whatever it takes to make yours a success!
How to build emotional intimacy in a relationship
Emotional intimacy occurs when two people are close enough to open up to one another about their deepest thoughts and feelings. This type of intimacy involves sharing and expressing personal thoughts and feelings. It's important to create emotional intimacy with your spouse because those who maintain solid emotional intimacy in their relationships tend to be happier than those who don't.
You can do many things to create a lasting, happy marriage. Below are some tips to help get you started!
Spend time together
One of the best ways to create a solid emotional connection with your partner is to spend time together. This doesn't mean that you have to be together every minute of every day, but make sure to schedule regular date nights and weekend getaways. Quality time spent together will help you learn more about each other and deepen your emotional bond.
Compliment them often
Compliments are a great way to make your partner feel loved and appreciated. Don't just limit yourself to physical compliments – tell them what you love about their personality too!
Say things that make them laugh or cry.
Another way to create emotional intimacy is by saying things that light up your partner's face with joy. Tell them how much their friendship means to you, what they mean to you in your life, and anything else that will touch their heart. You can also say things that will make them cry on the flip side of things. Telling them how you were affected by something they did or sharing the tragedy in your life that brought you closer together are both ways to show emotional intimacy.
Be physically affectionate without expecting sexual intimacy.
Holding hands, giving hugs, cuddling on the couch – these are all easy ways to be physically affectionate with your partner. Physical intimacy doesn't always have to involve sex. Make sure you hug and kiss them when they walk in the door after work or surprise them with a goodnight kiss before they go to sleep.
Have more profound, more meaningful conversations
Don't be afraid to get into intense discussions with your partner about what you're feeling and experiencing in life. Be open and honest about what's happening inside of you and let them know what you need from them to feel better. This is one way that emotional intimacy can deepen in your relationship.
Talk about your past and present dreams with each other.
If not, your partner should be someone you can share, then at least talk to about the dreams and aspirations you have for yourself and in your life. Make sure they know what's important to you and why, and ask them what's important in their life as well.
Accept them for who they are, not who you want them to be
The person that is most likely going to have a long-lasting, happy marriage with you is the one that accepts you for the unique individual that you are. Be willing to do this as well – don't try to change your partner into someone else because that's not the right way to create a lasting relationship.
Be willing to learn and grow together.
Relationships shouldn't be stagnant – they should be growing, changing, and evolving as you grow, change, and evolve as an individual over time. Be open to new ideas, new activities, and even new hobbies together so that your partner doesn't fall into a rut. You should be learning new things about them while they're also learning new things about you, allowing both of you to grow in the relationship.
Remember why you love each other.
Every once in a while, sit down together and talk about the reasons you fell in love with each other. Reminisce on the early days of your relationship and find out why you love each other more today than you did then. This is a great way to create an emotional bond that will grow deeper with time.
Build a strong spiritual connection
Spirituality can be both private and public, but it's essential that no matter what, you're on the same page about your faith and where you see yourselves going in the future. Discuss your spiritual values together regularly so that you stay connected to one another at this level, too.
Make sure they know what you want from them.
In a relationship, both partners need to know precisely what they can expect from each other so that no one feels taken advantage of or taken for granted. Sit down with your partner and make a list of how you each would like to contribute to the relationship, then go over it together until you're both on the same page about what's expected from one another across the board.
Be willing to compromise on some things.
You don't have to always get your way in your relationship. Sometimes it will be more vital for you to give in rather than hold firm on an issue that's really not that big of a deal. Compromise is essential for building an emotionally healthy marriage where both partners are checked out and working towards the same goals.
Take care of yourself, too.
You can't take care of your partner if you don't take care of yourself, too. Make sure that you're healthy and happy on the inside so that you can be healthy and happy in your marriage overall. Do this by taking moments to recharge with hobbies or activities that make you feel good, spending some time alone each day to unwind, and having friends outside of your partner that you can spend time with and talk to.
Ask for what you need.
Knowing precisely what you want from your relationship is great – but if you don't tell your partner, how will they know? Ask for what you need and make sure they're taking steps to give it to you (for example: helping out around the house, working harder to support the family financially, making time for date nights, etc.).
Be an open book
Your partner should know exactly who you are and what you're all about by now. You've been together long enough that there's no need to hold back or hide anything any longer. Make sure that they know your fears, desires, wants, conditions, and everything else there is to know about you.
Lead an active lifestyle together
Being healthy in mind, body, and spirit will make you a better partner for your spouse. Be sure to go on walks together each day, find ways to incorporate healthy eating into the family's regular activities (such as meal-planning together and going grocery shopping together), and find time to go to the gym or hit up a yoga class.
Nurture your relationship
A healthy marriage takes work, just like any other type of relationship. Make sure that you're putting in regular effort towards making it work – bring flowers home for no reason, plan date nights, take standard time to show your partner just how much you care about them.
Be present when it counts.
Not every moment in a relationship needs to be big or flashy, but they should all be filled with love and attention no matter what's happening. Make sure that you're not neglecting your partner during the little moments, too – put down your phone and pay attention to them, make eye contact with them during conversations, and be physically present when it counts.
End on a positive note
Wrap things up by promising that you'll both do your best to continue growing closer and working towards creating a healthy marriage together. Thank your partner for their time and effort in helping you learn how to build an emotionally healthy marriage, and tell them how much they mean to you.
Follow these tips for creating an emotionally healthy relationship.
You should have no problem learning how to create a happy and loving marriage that will last throughout the years! By being able to speak your mind about what you need from your partner, by knowing when to compromise, and by always putting in the effort to make it work, you'll be able to build a loving bond that will make your marriage last.