Relationships can be tricky. Within a married relationship, this is especially true. Aside from ourselves, no single person in our adult lives has as much influence on our health and well-being as our spouse. For the same reason it is very important in a person’s life to make his/her married life happy. Problems in married life not only brings misery to the individuals, by affecting the family it challenges very society.
Here are 6 tips from Western Scientists that will make a marriage successful. Though the context is different, most of the ideas here shall be adopted in India too.
- Use more humor. This doesn’t mean you need to get great at telling a joke. You can watch comedians or funny shows together. Humor reduces stress and anxiety. (Mayo Clinic, n.d.)
- Exercise together. This increases happiness and reduces stress. Working out with another person pushes us to work out more efficiently. Want an attractiveness boost? This will do it. The physiological symptoms mimic those of romantic attraction.
- Learn mindfulness-based stress reduction. Mindfulness is martial arts for the mind. It’s a way of life. There’s no mysticism involved. Mindfulness is purposeful and focused on the present experience. It’s awareness, acknowledgement, and acceptance.
- Have sex. Regular sexual activity triggers your sex drive, sense of romance, and attachment. It also releases testosterone, dopamine, and oxytocin.
- Fight better. Try Gottman’s approach:
1. Soften your start-up
2. Learn to send and receive repair attempts
3. Sooth yourself and each other
4. Compromise
5. Address emotional injuries - Learn to Apologise by using the following keys:
1. Expressing regret – “I’m sorry” without the “but.”
2. Accepting responsibility – “I was wrong” without excuses
3. Offering to make restitution – “How can I make things right?” “What can I do?”
4. Genuinely repenting/Expressing desire to change – Give evidence that you’re changing your behavior.
5. Requesting forgiveness – “I hope you can forgive me.”
Discussion about this post