Marriage is a lifelong commitment. Like a seed, it requires constant nurturing, food and water.
Some couples make the mistake of thinking once the wedding day is done and dusted, it’s all plain sailing from there. It’s not. The hard work begins the moment you say your wedding vows.
Whether you’re experiencing a slight bump in the road or there’s a complete disconnect from your partner, there are actionable steps you can take. We’ll explain how below.
Intimacy forms the foundation of the human experience. It’s why many therapists believe sex therapy can help couples reconnect on an intimate level.
A simple touch can spark a wave of emotions. A marriage or long-term partnership devoid of affection lacks meaningful connection.
It’s human nature to want to feel loved and wanted. If your partner isn’t meeting those needs, it’s time to see an expert. A healthy sex life leads to fulfillment and relationship satisfaction.
And sex therapists aren’t only talking about being physical. Denver Couples & Sex Therapy says most certified therapists are experienced in relationships and intimacy, taking a holistic and unique approach to address concerns. Every conversation is on the table, from sexual dysfunction to talk therapy to human sexuality.
We’ll admit, no marriage is easy. However, a professional can arm you with the tools to ensure your relationship returns to being a healthy, safe space.
The questions left unanswered demand a closer look and here’s where the first stumbling block occurs. Years from now, you may turn to your partner and not remember who they used to be, or, you might not recognize yourself.
It’s normal for a type of nonchalance to settle into a relationship, but the danger comes when not doing anything about it.
Forbes says there are a few factors that contribute to couples getting divorced. For example, some people are more likely to call it quits because their friends are divorced. And, you’re less likely to separate in Louisiana than in Nevada.
The age-old adage that half of marriages end in divorce has also been rubbished. The publication states that only 43% of first marriages are dissolved; second and third unions fail at a much higher rate.
We’ve heard the theory of the “seven-year itch,” but how true is it? Cleveland Clinic notes there’s no distinctive proof that the lexicon is real.
However, research may have cottoned into the term when divorces in first-time marriages tended to spike around the seven-year mark.
The honeymoon phase is usually referred to as the first few years of marriage. After this stage, a relationship will either decline or stabilize.
Poor communication, lack of empathy and unrealistic expectations can put pressure on any marriage. Compounded with raising a family and dealing with other issues, it’s a pressure cooker waiting to explode.
Cleveland Clinic says couples must learn to communicate openly and honestly to avoid the “seven-year-itch.” Speak to each other regularly about your feelings and concerns. Make an effort to spend time together; it will bring you back together emotionally.
Removing yourself from a situation can do good for the mind and soul. It allows you to see things from a different perspective and forces you to confront uncomfortable feelings.
There’s another reason for creating distance. When it comes to matters of the heart, absence can make it grow fonder. Those in long-distance relationships can attest to a certain hankering for someone when they’re not close by. You miss their smile, laugh and silly quirks.
Bustle explains there are two types of romantic attachments: anxiety and avoidance. Attachment-related anxiety has to do with a fear of abandonment. Attachment-related avoidance talks about people who don’t like to rely on others and don’t want to be depended on.
In a relationship, this means people with high attachment anxiety could struggle more with not being close to their partner regularly, while high avoidance people prefer the distance.
Spending time away from your partner can make you feel closer to them emotionally, but you have to work at it. Even while being physically apart, always communicate your feelings and what you want from the partnership.
There is no rule book for a happy marriage. Ask anyone what the secret is to a long union and they’ll probably all say the same thing. Communication is the one common denominator that everyone swears by.
Be open and honest with your spouse or partner on a physical and emotional level. The rest will follow. Growing apart does not mean growing out of love. Find other ways to reconnect and find your way back to one another.
