All relationships take hard work, dedication, and commitment. Making the decision to get married means you’ve made a commitment to your partner to love and support one another, especially in times of struggle. Here are three steps to a happy marriage.
1. Be Friends
It’s easy to forget who your spouse is especially when life gets chaotic. Remember that your spouse is your friend and will help you through life’s most chaotic moments. How do you remain friends? Ask questions! Even if the question sounds silly, ask it anyway. The point is to never stop learning about each other. We’re always changing and, even though you may think you know everything there is to know about your spouse, I guarantee you there are still surprises to be found.
A happy marriage is when two people not only love each other but also like each other.
2. Make Time
Make time to connect with one another on a daily basis. Set aside 15 or 20 minutes each day to check in with each other. Find out how the day was, what happened at work, and so on. Give your spouse your undivided attention during this time and really listen to what’s being said.
If you can, schedule a date night once a week. Go out to dinner, catch a movie, or just go for a drive together. Do whatever makes you both happy and enjoy the uninterrupted time you have together. This allows you to reconnect with your spouse without the daily stresses of life.
3. Manage Stress
Stress is inevitable but the way we manage it can make all the difference. It’s important to know when you’re stressed and make sure that you don’t take that stress out on your spouse. Communicate with each other and let your spouse know that you’re feeling stressed and need to calm down. Practice deep breathing exercises or meditation to help you relieve stress.
Knowing the signs of stress in your spouse is also important. If you know that your spouse is stressed, you can take the steps necessary to help ease that stress for him/her. Talking is a great way to manage stress so don’t be afraid to talk to your spouse.
Marriage is hard but there are things you can do to make it a little easier. There are going to be days that are harder than others, but it doesn’t mean your marriage isn’t worth it. These 3 steps can help your marriage tremendously. Go ahead, give them a try.
My name is Amanda Itzkoff, MD. I am a New York City based Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
For additional information, please feel free to email our office at Amanda.Itzkoff@gmail.com.
To schedule an appointment, call our offices at 917-609-4990.
Be well,
Dr. Amanda Itzkoff