Improving your marriage doesn't have to be rocket science.
Try these simple tips to make your most important relationship work better than ever.
Five Top Communication Tips To Make Your Marriage Happier and Healthier 1.
Improving the friendship is the single most important step you can take to improve communication and marital satisfaction.
A close friendship brings many rewards and serves the relationship in countless ways, and makes it easier to discuss problems.
Busy couples often find that spending more time together, taking time to listen without being critical or judging, and having more fun in your relationship fans the flames of friendship and romance.
Time spent building your friendship is time well-spent, an investment in the relationship.
Remember, a close friendship is the key to the kingdom! 2.
Tell the truth.
The failure to be honest with your spouse, by withholding information or not being fully authentic, creates conflict, and makes life harder, setting you up for more communication problems.
The lack of honesty creates a burden for everyone to bear.
It's simply better to say what's in your heart, and saying it in a gentle but direct way...
even if it means invoking the spouse's disappointment.
Remember, honesty is the best policy, and it increases trust and confidence and, in the long run, good will.
3.
Take the pain out of conflict.
Face the pink elephant in the room.
Talk about the problems that are important to you.
Face issues and move on.
If you sweep conflict under the carpet, it just grows larger.
Discuss, but don't argue.
Disagree without pushing each other away.
Avoid getting mad when your partner doesn't agree with you.
Be supportive and understanding.
Agree to disagree.
4.
Focus on the positives and take control of your self-talk.
Focus on the positive and make your self-talk or internal thought process more positive and hopeful.
Instead of focusing on your relationship's shortcomings and partner's faults, train your attention on the assets and positive qualities.
Instead of dwelling on the problems in the relationship, think about the good points.
Watch how you talk to yourself about the relationship.
Place faith in the relationship.
Remember, positive self-talk helps you to remain focused on success.
You'll view the relationship in a more optimistic fashion...
and you'll be able to see the amazing potential of your relationship! Instead of telling yourself the world's coming to an end when a problem occurs, or a traumatic memory from the past comes up, change your self-talk to, "I can handle this" or "this may not be great, but we'll get through it.
" Your communication style will become more optimistic too.
Find the good in every situation.
Point the good things out to your spouse, rather than letting problems hypnotize you both.
Identify your strengths as a couple! Remember, anything you focus on becomes bigger and more powerful.
So focus your thoughts and self-talk accordingly! 5.
Censor yourself.
When I work with couples, I often feel amazed at the things spouses say to each other.
Sadly, using critical and hurtful language creates anger and shame, and drives a wedge between the two spouses.
Speak to your spouse in an upbeat and empowering way, and avoid the use of criticism.
Remember, criticism is a double-edged sword! A good rule of thumb is to speak to your spouse the way you did when you first met...
show respect, kindness and patience.
No matter how long you've been together.
And don't throw the darts of criticism at your partner.
As weapons, darts do more damage than good.
In Sum Anyone can use these five top tips to make their marriage better.
Start by recognizing the strengths of your relationship and avoid the temptation to focus on shortcomings and flaws.
Improve your friendship, be honest, take the pain out of conflict, stay positive and don't throw arrows at your partner with ugly words.
Try these simple tips for making your marriage stronger, and you'll be rewarded by a relationship that flourishes as the years pass -- one that makes you a stronger, healthier person.