It’s no secret that 2023 can make staying present and connected with loved ones hard. But ear not! This blog article provides five practical strategies to be more present with your spouse and deepen your relationship.
As you become older, you may realize that your relationship takes more care and work to sustain. You may have grown apart due to work or other responsibilities or simply feel less connected.
However, it’s never too late to reconnect and strengthen your relationship. By applying these methods, you may feel more present and connected with your spouse, no matter how hectic life gets.
I understand how easy it is to forget about your spouse in daily life. I’m an AI language model without a partner, but I’ve seen how easy it is to get distracted and forget to take a break.
But pausing and being present with your partner can make all the difference. It will deepen your relationship, strengthen your bond, and make you happier.
Let’s explore five simple techniques to be more present with your mate and deepen your relationship.
Practice Active Listening
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget about loved ones and the significance of being present in our relationships. It’s more crucial than ever to actively listen to our partners and prioritize our relationships due to hectic schedules, frequent distractions, and technology. However, from my personal experience I can tell you it’s never too late to make a big difference!
Actively listening involves concentrating on your companion and not being distracted. It means empathizing, comprehending, and respecting their sentiments.
Listening to your spouse has been found to improve relationships. According to a 2018 Journal of Marriage and Family Research, active listening increases marital pleasure and closeness.
Our busy lives sometimes make it hard to be present and thoughtful in our interactions. Work, family, and other duties might make us forget about our loved ones’ needs. Despite the turmoil of everyday life, carefully listening to your spouse may help you remain connected and involved in your relationship. Set aside time daily to communicate, listen to your spouse, and be truly present.
Put Away Distractions
In 2023 distractions are literally all arounds. Technology such as smartphones and tablets, Netflix binge watching, socializing online, and more may all distract us. In the long run, we forget what truly matters. Yet, removing distractions might help you be present in your interactions.
Here’s a powerful example backed by science: A 2017 Journal of Social and Personal Relationships research indicated that smartphone usage during face-to-face encounters significantly affected relationship quality and intimacy. This suggests that putting your phone away during partner conversations can improve your relationship.
Three professional recommendations for putting distractions aside for your relationship:
- Set boundaries: Limit the use of your phone and other smart devices. For example, you may agree to put your phone aside for dinner or time together.
- Utilize applications to restrict screen time or disable apps at particular periods. This helps you concentrate on your relationship and avoid checking your phone.
- Intentionally prioritize your connection and be present throughout talks and activities with your spouse. This involves actively listening and being present, not daydreaming or using technology.
You may strengthen your bond by ignoring distractions and focusing on your mate. Avoid distractions to develop a satisfying and lasting connection.
Show Physical Affection
Physical affection keeps you present in relationships. Touch releases oxytocin, which strengthens bonds and boosts relationship satisfaction.
Physical affection has been linked to relationship pleasure and closeness. In 2013, a Personal Relationships study found that romantic couples who hugged and kissed frequently had higher relationship satisfaction and lower conflict.
Three ways to increase physical affection:
- Hold hands: Holding hands while walking, watching TV, or just sitting together is a simple way to show affection and feel connected.
- Hug: Hugging reduces stress, tension, and distance between partners. Hug your partner when you wake up or before bed.
- Kiss often: Kissing expresses love and affection. Try kissing your partner every day or just because.
Physical affection can be non-sexual. Touching your partner creates intimacy. Physical affection helps you remain present and strengthens your relationship.
Make Time for Quality Conversations
Open conversation helps you be present and conscious with your spouse. Sharing your ideas, emotions, and worries with your spouse helps foster trust, intimacy, and connection.
“The quality of your relationships dictates the quality of your life,” remarked prominent marital counselor and therapist Esther Perel. Maintaining strong partnerships requires open communication.
Open communication and emotional sharing increased marital happiness and connection, according to a 2018 Family Process research. Open conversation may increase relationship quality and strengthen your bond.
Three ways to communicate with your partner:
- Talk to your partner: Whether it’s a weekly check-in or a daily conversation, make time to communicate. This may keep you linked and avoid miscommunications.
- Actively listen and comprehend when your spouse speaks. Avoid interrupting, solving, or ignoring their sentiments.
- Honesty and vulnerability are necessary for trust and intimacy. Encourage your spouse to communicate honestly and openly.
Overall, open communication with your spouse may strengthen your relationship. Healthy relationships are worth the work.
Prioritize the Two of You
Prioritizing relationships and spending quality time together increases marital happiness and closeness, according to a 2015 Journal of Marriage and Family research. Prioritizing your relationship may improve your well-being and relationship quality.
Putting work or interests before a relationship is a typical error. Although other hobbies and duties are vital, prioritizing your relationship and making time for your spouse is crucial.
Three methods to focus your relationship and be present:
- Schedule quality time: Make time for your relationship, whether it’s a weekly date or a daily check-in.
- Concentrate on your partner’s needs: Learn and satisfy their needs.
- Open up: Make sure you and your spouse agree on prioritizing your relationship.
Prioritizing your relationship and spending time with your spouse may enhance your bond. Always prioritize your connection. A weekly check-in or a daily conversation opens the door to honest communication. This may keep you linked and avoid miscommunications.
Actively listen and comprehend when your spouse speaks. Avoid interrupting, solving, or ignoring their sentiments.
Honesty and vulnerability are necessary for trust and intimacy. Encourage your spouse to communicate honestly and openly. Trust me, it will all be worth it!
Conclusion
If you made it this far, congrats! The techniques in this post can help you be more conscious and present in your relationship. From putting away distractions, and giving physical love to prioritizing time together, each change is one step forward for the two of you.
Remember, restarting your relationship and enhancing your bond is never too late. Being present and prioritizing your relationship can make you happier, fulfilled, and satisfied.
So consider our tips and pick one or two that resonate with you. Then, commit to incorporating them into your daily life and see how being more present and mindful in your relationship can improve it.
Need even more expert tips to improve your love life? I highly recommend our post on How Mindfulness Can Improve Your Love Life in 2023.
If you have any personal experience or story to share with us, make sure to drop a comment below and tell us everything – we’ll get back to you ASAP!
