Couples Therapy Techniques To Strengthen Your Relationship
Relationships are a lot of work. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just that in order for them to work out and for two people to have a long, healthy life together, both need to put effort into keeping it healthy. There's the saying that relationships are 50/50, but the reality is that relationships really need to be 100/100. If you both aren't putting in 100% and instead are only putting in half the work, things can go sour pretty quickly. Here are some strengthening exercises you can do together to tighten that bond and make it work.
Write An Appreciation List
Don't let your significant other go a day without knowing how much you appreciate them and the things they do, no matter how small. If it's been a while since you expressed this to one another, try sitting down and each of you make a list of all the things you appreciate about each other. Read them out loud and discuss. This will show your significant other that you value them and what they bring to the relationship. You could even take this one step farther and fill a jar with slips of paper that you've written sweet compliments or all the things you love about your significant other. Each day they can pull a slip of paper out and read it. Not only will this be a daily reminder of how much they are loved, but it's a great self esteem boost that will help them get through the day.
Have a Date Night At Least Once a Month
Date nights are really important, especially if you've been together for a long time and have children. Ideally, you should set aside at least one night per week for date night. However, realistically I know that may be difficult for some. So my suggestion is to schedule a date night for at least one night per month. One night is all you need to really connect with one another again. This is a great time to discuss anything you need or want to, have a little fun, and unwind a bit. You don't even need to leave home. With the increase in date night subscription boxes, you can have a fun date night at home once a month and no two months will ever be the same, so there's plenty of variety and new things to strengthen your bond while entertaining you both.
Shut Off The Electronics
I'm old fashion. My friends and family describe me as a modern 50's housewife. They're absolutely right. And one of the reasons I'm okay with this is that I believe that relationships lasted longer years ago because there were no electronics to take our attention away from one another. There were less distractions and people spent more time together as well as more time doing things for one another. Take some time, even if it's an hour each day, and shut off the electronics. All of them. I'm serious. Use that time to talk to one another, give your significant other a back rub, cook dinner together, put a puzzle together, or anything else that allows you to focus strictly on one another. Go a little old fashion for a while. You would be surprised how refreshing it is.
Have a Weekend Fun Jar
A weekend fun jar can be a great way to try new things with your partner and bond a bit. Sit down together and make a list of all the things you want to do as a couple. Maybe it's trying a new restaurant, going on a hike, participating in a couple's paint & sip, or a night at a local bed & breakfast. cut out each item on the list, fold the slips of paper up, and put them in a jar. Each Thursday or Friday you both pull one slip of paper out of the jar and make plans to do that activity that weekend. It's like a couples bucket list, and it's really fun.
If you do decide that your relationship may benefit from the extra help of a therapist, and you are weighing the benefits and cost of couples counseling, HERE is a great link to check out for more helpful information.
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