It takes time and energy to make a marriage work, but not as much as you might think.

Relationships on Female First

Relationships on Female First

Adding happiness and excitement to a marriage isn't about planning extravagant vacations or giving surprise presents to one another (though, those things certainly don't hurt!) Truly, the little things like showing daily appreciation and trying new things in the bedroom that will keep you and your spouse wanting more from each other.

It's the little things in a marriage that add up to a lot. In fact, some may say they are the things that make a happy married life. Here are 10 successful marriage tips for how to make your relationship sexy, successful, and interesting.

Have a Weekly Date Night

Bi-monthly, at least.

Date night is a great way for couples to connect and get out of the house together. This is especially helpful for couples who have small children.

Take turns planning your date night so you can each do something you enjoy. It can be as romantic, fun, over-the-top, or affordably free as you like.

Whatever you do, make sure to treat it like a date from back when you first got together. Open doors for each other, be heavy with the compliments, and wine and dine like you are looking to impress.

The goal of date night is for couples to build emotional intimacy, sexual chemistry, and reconnect as partners instead of just parents or roommates.

Take Care of Your Physical Appearance

One of the best successful marriage tips to keeping your relationship sexy is to take care of yourself.

We know, looks aren’t everything. But attraction plays a huge role in why couples get together in the first place.

Nobody is asking you to get a 6-pack and eat celery for the rest of your life, but maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and dressing up for your sweetheart will do wonders for your relationship.

Be Creative in the Bedroom

Obviously one of the best ways to keep your married life interesting is not to shy away from new ideas in the bedroom. Couples should embrace trying new positions, investing in surprise monthly sex boxes, role-playing, reading dirty stories, sharing fantasies, and experimenting with toys.

Don't Try and Change Each Other

Trying to change your spouse is a fruitless and frustrating avenue, so why try and take it?

Instead of working day in and day out to ensure she stops gossiping so much or that he picks up his dirty socks, why not look for the good in your spouse?

Does your spouse always know how to cheer you up, make you laugh, or draws out the best in you? DO they have a charming smile or a kind way about them when speaking to others?

The next time they do that inane whistling that you hate so much, instead of snapping at them, make a mental list of all the things you love about them.

Build Emotional Intimacy

Emotional intimacy is an important factor in keeping the love and fun factors fresh in your relationship.

Couples who share emotional intimacy experience a deeper connection than those who do not. In one study of married partners, researchers found that couples listed 'emotional skillfulness' and emotional communication to be playing important roles in relationship satisfaction.

You can increase emotional intimacy by sharing secrets with your partner and always showing them respect. It is also essential that honesty and trustworthiness play a starring role in your relationship.

Maintain Regular Physical Intimacy

Physical intimacy isn't the be-all and end-all of a good relationship, but there are certainly enough benefits of having regular sex with your sweetheart for it to make to this list.

When you have sex with someone you love, your body releases a hormone called oxytocin. This 'cuddle hormone' is responsible for the ooey-gooey bliss you feel post-orgasm.

This hormone plays a large role in pair-bonding, which contributes to a happier, healthier relationship. Studies show oxytocin also lowers stress and is scientifically proven to increase trust between partners.

Not to mention, sexual activity is good for your health.

Studies suggest that couples who have sex several times a week had increased levels of immunoglobulin A, which is the same antibody that helps fight the common cold and other infections.

Regular sex can also relieve pain, increase the brain's ability to store memories, and lowers your risk of having a heart attack.

Communicate Regularly

We'll let you in on a little secret: communicating is just talking.

This is the simplest trick in the book, and yet communication is practically the cornerstone of a happy marriage.

Healthy couples communicate about their feelings, about their worries, goals, and troubles. It's how couples learn to problem-solve and fight fair. Communication helps prevent misunderstandings and resentment.

But, communicating doesn't always have to be associated with solving a problem together. Another great way to communicate is to share something funny you heard or reminisce about hilarious, romantic, or meaningful times you've shared together.

This form of communication can strengthen the marital bond and remind you why you fell in love to begin with.

Vocalize Appreciation

Want a happy married life? Studies show that couples who vocalize appreciation and gratitude for one another have increased marital satisfaction rates. Research also suggests that couples are happier when they celebrate each other's victories.

These findings both highlight the importance of doing the little things for your spouse, such as opening doors, saying thank you, telling them how attractive they are, and saying you're proud of them.

Take up a Hobby Together

Couples will benefit from taking up a hobby together. This is a great way to contribute to a happy married life that’s interesting and exciting.

When couples take up a hobby they are stimulating their brains. Not only is learning something new fun and challenging, but it’s a great way to bond with your spouse. Plus, it teaches you to rely on one another for help.

Some great ideas for couple’s hobbies include:

  1. Take up photography
  2. Learn a new language
  3. Play a sport together/join a sports team
  4. Go on a 'wine and painting' night
  5. Volunteer at an animal shelter together
  6. Start hiking together
  7. Take up river rafting or kayaking
  8. Learn a new dance
  9. Start cooking together
  10. Make a hobby of cafe-hopping
  11. Learn an instrument together

Not only will new hobbies give you and your sweetheart something to look forward to, but couples who take up hobbies will grow closer together and have a more exciting marriage. So, why not add a little spice to your marriage with a brand-new dance class or boxing match?

Marriage should never be boring. Couples should strive to be honest, maintain a regular date night, take care of their physical appearances, and build emotional and physical intimacy. By following these successful marriage tips you’ll be on your way to an exciting, healthy relationship for years to come.

Author Bio: Rachael Pace is a relationship expert with years of experience in training and helping couples. She has helped countless individuals and organizations around the world, offering effective and efficient solutions for healthy and successful relationships. She is a featured writer for Marriage.com, a reliable resource to support healthy happy marriages.


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