How-To Connect with Your Spouse

Planning a wedding is the simple part of a marriage. Maintaining a healthy, loving relationship for the rest of your life is the difficult part. Staying emotionally, physically, and spiritually connected with your spouse is criteria for a happy marriage. Although some couples may feel lost in this area, there are several things people can do to recreate and maintain a strong connection with their spouses.

Laugh
If you were to ask young adults what is important in a relationship, many of them would say a sense of humor. As the years of marriage dwindle by, humor and laughter decreases in many relationships. The quirky things that once were humorous about the other spouse, become annoying or old. To combat this problem, tell your husband or wife about a funny story that happened at work, or laugh when you stumble or bump into a wall. If you heard a silly story on the radio, tell your husband (not just your girlfriend). Every day occurrences can take a funny twist if you look at them in the right light.

Movies
It may seem silly, but movies are a great gateway to reconnect to your spouse. If you have separate interests and hobbies from your husband or wife, sometimes it can be difficult to have discussions that don't deal with family or work. Going to the same movie creates the atmosphere perfect for a great conversation. If you go to a romance, you can discuss the ending with your spouse. If you go to comedy, you can laugh about your favorite parts with your spouse. If you go to dramatic/philosophical movie, you can discuss what parts you agreed with and what parts your husband/wife agreed or disagreed with. There is nothing like a great movie that can spark great conversation.

Get Rid of Background Noise
Our lives are filled with chaos. Instead of conversation in the car, we listen to the radio. We watch television during supper instead of talking to our family. Connecting with your spouse requires conversation and eye contact. That is only possible if you turn off the television and radio. Make it a daily ritual to go around the supper table and share the highlight of the day. This is a great way for husbands and wives to stay involved with career accomplishments, stresses of work, and deadlines.

Marriage is not easy, but it doesn't have to be painfully difficult either. Staying connected, or reconnecting with your spouse is the best way to maintain a healthy and happy marriage for your family and the future.