12 Ways to Calm Marital Stress
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Stress from work, family, money, and health can make the daily bumps in the road feel like a rollercoaster ride in a relationship. In marriages, stress is a leading cause of interpersonal tension and dysfunctional relationships. How can you help your marriage stay healthy and meaningful in today’s high-stress, fast-paced environment?
Here are 15 things to do to reduce stress in your marriage:
- Always put your marriage first.
Time with your spouse shouldn’t be an afterthought. Your relationship with your spouse should come before all other priorities and schedules. As you age in life, your co-workers, neighbors, friends, and acquaintances will come and go. Your spouse is the one you chose to have and to hold until death.
- Replace ‘I’ with ‘we’
Marriage involves two people blending their lives together and becoming one. Be aware that everything you do reflects on your spouse. You are a team, so communication, honesty, respect, and openness are critical to the success of your marriage.
- Talk with your Spouse daily.
In relationships it’s all about communication. Communication is not all pleasant conversation and agreeing with one another. Many misunderstandings and fights occur because one spouse did not take the time to sit down and talk to their spouse about what is going on. Make it a point to set aside time each day to sit down and share the good and the bad about your day.
- Provide a listening ear.
Partners need to open their ears and listen to what their spouse is saying. Your partner may be trying to convey an important message, experience, or just need your love and attention. Give them your full attention and hear what they are saying.
- Enjoy Sex Often.
Having sex releases feel-good hormones that reduce stress. Intimacy calms you down and allows you to bond with your spouse.
- Demonstrate your affection for your spouse regularly.
Physical contact is a proven stress reliever. Hugs and kisses go a long way in staying connected with your spouse. Snuggle up on the couch to watch TV. Reach out and take your spouse’s hand while walking. Kiss your husband or wife good morning and good night.
- Live within your means.
Money problems are a leading cause of stress in American marriages. Most of the stuff we get into debt over is simply not worth the aggravation. Make a budget together and stick to it.
- Have fun together.
Laughing, playing, and enjoying every moment you have together is great relationship medicine.
- Don’t waste energy arguing over small stuff.
Arguments are often spurred by minor disagreements that aren’t problems. Usually, they represent bigger issues. Try to look beyond the surface, talk it out, and identify the issues deeper down in your relationship. Remind yourselves what really counts.
- Know when to leave it at the door
Bringing stress that is rooted in friendships, work, school, etc. into the relationship can create a spill-over effect that creates or worsens relationship problems. recognize this and don’t take it out on your partner.
- Be supportive of your spouse.
Criticism always leads to more stress. Playing to your spouse’s strengths works better than focusing on any weaknesses. Be supportive and build them, affirm, and encourage your spouse.
- Nurture Yours and Your Spouse’s Friendship
Research has shown that couples that have a great friendship have a higher percentage overall of marital satisfaction. Friends treat each other with respect and support each other through good and bad times. Friends look forward to spending time together and genuinely enjoy each other’s company.
Maintaining and growing love in today’s stressful world consists of decisions. It’s a matter of daily choices. You must decide to tune out the stress and choose your partner every day with your head, your heart, and your actions to make your marriage work.
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