How to Express Love to a Spouse

Expressing love to a spouse is important for all couples, no matter how long they've been married. For newlyweds, it's important because the foundation for the rest of the marriage is laid at the beginning. For couples that have been married for a long time, effectively expressing love is equally as important. Becoming comfortable with one another can lead a spouse to believe that, since he has expressed his love many times over the years, it's not necessary to keep doing so. To avoid alienating or hurting your spouse, take time to deliberately express your love for her daily.

1. Cook your spouse's favorite food. Let him know you did it to make him feel loved and appreciated. This is a small, unselfish act that can show your spouse that, while you could have made something quick and easy for dinner, you purposefully thought of what would make him happy.

2. Agree to do an activity or go to a place he likes. If there's some place your spouse has been wanting to go, make plans to go there. Even if you would have rather gone somewhere else, do your best to genuinely have a good time. Tell your spouse you're glad you did.

3. Ask your spouse what words or actions make him feel loved. Then say or do those things. If you struggle to figure out what makes your spouse's love clock tick, just ask him. Your spouse may be pleasantly surprised and pleased at the simple fact that you're making an effort to show your love.

4. Give your spouse verbal praise in front of others. It's one thing to express love in private. However, public praise can have the benefit of boosting your spouse's self-confidence while letting others know how you feel about him. This is similar to the effect of the public declaration of your love that you made on your wedding day.

5. Look your spouse in the eye when he addresses you. This is a way of signifying that he matters to you and that you care about what matters to him. If you're watching a movie, playing a video game or reading a book when he addresses you, press pause or put the book down. Give him your full attention.

(Source: ehow.com)

Creative Activities for Couples

After several years together, routine can set in and take a toll on a couple. What was once exciting and new can become mundane and somewhat boring. To liven up a relationship, couples should experiment with new activities and projects. Regardless of their interests and budgets, most couples can find new adventures to increase the quality of their time together.

Squirt Gun Fight
All you need is a group of friends and a set of squirt guns filled with colored water (food coloring usually works best). An inexpensive alternative to paint ball, the game is similar. Two teams, each with different-colored water, fight until only one person is left untouched by the other team. It's an ideal activity to help couples work together, spend time with friends and get outside when the weather gets warm. For a rematch, teams can change guns and play again.

Couples Projects
Homes are filled with chores and things that need to get done, fixed or put together. Spend a day or afternoon together checking these things off the to-do list. Put together a swing set, paint a room or figure out how to retile a kitchen backsplash. Not only can you complete a few tasks, but also by planning and purchasing ahead of time, the whole process brings couples together. Afterward, it offers a chance to celebrate.

Cooking Class
Widely available and usually budget-friendly, couples cooking classes are a fun way to learn a practical skill. Even those without a culinary bone in their bodies can find a class to fit their level. Start with a simple class for casual training or challenge yourselves with advanced meals and recipes; either way, you're guaranteed a unique bonding experience. This skill can be transferred to "real life," where couples can spend a night cooking together at home after strolling through markets shopping for ingredients. Most schools and community centers provide cooking classes, and most of their schedules can be found online.

(Source: ehow.com)

Ways to Increase Your Love

For most couples, whether married or in a long-term relationship, it can be a difficult transition once the "honeymoon" stage is over. The initial lust and butterflies in the stomach you once felt may have given way to a more laid-back, comfortable feeling with your significant other. It is normal for long-standing relationships to cool down after a while and this is when the real relationship building begins.

A good partnership is like tending to a pet - either you feed and nurture it, or bad things will happen. The small things you do become important. Daily habits help to forge strong relationships and marriages. It can be as simple as remembering to tell your partner "I love you," everyday.

If you are really serious about making your relationship work, there are several little rituals that you can incorporate into your daily life.

1. Talk To Each Other
 
Most relationship experts would agree that talking is the most important elements of a healthy partnership. Happy couples typically say their relationship works better when they can sit down one-on-one, share their feelings and work out their frustrations. Topics of discussion can extend past your relationship. Talk about work, how your day is going, or something funny that happened to you.

Many couples may complain that it is hard to find time in their busy day to have a daily couple's pow-wow. Well, it doesn't have to be an hour-long psych session each day. You simply have to set aside a few minutes for your special someone. For example, do a "weather" check during the day. Call your partner at home or at work to see how his/her day is going. By doing this, you will be more in sync when you reconnect after work.

If you have a pet dog, how about walking it together every night? The quiet time and fresh air can be your chance to focus on each other. If you have missed each other during the day, be sure to catch up at night right before going to bed. It is in this relaxed atmosphere that you can unwind and tell your partner about your busy day.

When you live together, you may automatically think you know everything about your lover. In reality though, it is very easy for life to get in the way if you don't take the time to connect with each other.
 
2. Flirt

Flirting isn't just for teenagers and couples on their first date. Part of a healthy sexual relationship involves flirting with each other everyday. And it doesn't just have to be a form of foreplay. Even on the nights when you are just too doggone tired to be intimate in bed, flirting can be a fun way to keep the zest in your relationship.

Don't be embarrassed about flirting in public either. Show off the strength of your relationship with a little PDA (public displays of affection). Walk hand in hand and try to steal a quick hug or kiss whenever you can. Most importantly, don't forget to say "I love you," as much as possible throughout the day.
 
3. Be Silly Together

Life is serious enough. Sometimes you just need to do something really silly. And if you can't do it with your significant other, who can you be silly with? When you find the time, try reliving your childhood by visiting an amusement park. Go on all the scary rides and eat all the sweets you can until your stomach can take no more.

For a daily ritual that you and your partner can share at home, try playing a game of Twister. The contorted positions you will find yourselves in will have you laughing in no time. Or kick back and watch a funny TV show that both of you enjoy. Whatever you do, the important thing is to laugh and have fun together.
 
4. Declare Your Independence

Remember that healthy relationships are made up of two independent people who have their own personalities and interests. It's not good for the relationship to be constantly joined at the hip. So also make a daily habit of getting away from each other. Peruse your own hobbies and interests.

Doing things separately gives you a chance to fill in the blanks that your partner may not be able to fill for you. For example, if one of you likes sports and the other likes the arts, use your alone time to go to the gym or enroll in a painting class. At the end of your day, you will find that you have more to talk about. It will help bring freshness to the relationship, as you both continue to grow as people.
 
5. Cultivate Common Interests
Along with developing your personal interests, apart from one another, it is also essential to find something you can do together. The emphasis is on finding an activity you can both enjoy. Although your definition of fun may be going shopping, he may not enjoy being dragged along.

If common interests are not present, happy couples develop them. Try working out at the gym together. Or take some classes together until you find something you both like. Maybe you'll both fall in love with cooking and connect each night by preparing dinner together.

Source: www.bestlovetips.com

Signs of A Healthy Relationship

As we continue our journey of life we get involved with several kinds of relationships. We develop a strong bond or get involved in a relationship with our family members, relatives, close associates and friends. However this article primarily focuses on the relationship of a couple. If you are deeply involved in a relationship, have you ever pondered over the thought that whether you share a healthy relationship with your partner or not? If not, try to spare a moment for yourself and consider this fact as maintaining a healthy relationship with your beloved. It would help you to enjoy life to the fullest. Look for the Signs Of A Healthy Relationship to judge, whether your relationship with your sweetheart is healthy. Given below are a few of the Signs Of A Healthy Relationship, which are: 

Feeling proud in each other’s achievements and encouraging each other in whatever he/she does. Providing each other with support, strength and courage whenever one feels the need. Making the best efforts to please one another. Giving space to each other.

Solving of differences or conflicts in a peaceful manner. Equal sharing of responsibilities. Understanding each other without much communication. Respecting each other’s needs. Being able to talk freely with your partner. Conveying love for each other. Having trust in one another. Being honest towards each other. Enjoying good times together. Taking active part in each other’s professional as well as personal life. Source: www.mydearvalentine.com

How to Make a Great Relationships

You can make your life a roller coaster ride with a great and steady relationship. Relationships make one's life beautiful and loveable. Everyone wants to have great friend, caring relatives and loving partner. Relationship grows with time. On the other hand, it also undergoes great change with time. If you want to maintain a great relationship then you must follow a few significant tips.

Tips and Ideas for Great Relationship

Friendship is the soul of any relationship. Friendship will make both of you free from any obligation. This is one of the major techniques of great relationship. Feelings of your partner must be considered. Do not take your partner for granted. Talk about his/her dreams and offer your aid in making it true. This attitude will help you in making a great relationship. You must act in a responsible manner. Everyone admires responsible person. Moreover, your responsible behavior will lead to great relationship. The key for a successful relationship is fun. Existence of fun and enjoyment would result in great relationship. Understanding is another significant component in the working of relationship. Both of you must understand each other for a great relationship. Communication gap is one of the major causes for the failing of relationship. There must not be any communication gap for a successful relationship. Spending quality time with your beloved is a great way to strengthen your relationship. Attentiveness and romance are the key factors for a successful relationship. Space is the major requirement in any relationship. Both of must give adequate space to each other. Source: www.mydearvalentine.com

How to Improve Your Communication Skills With Your Boyfriend

Let's face it--like it or not--women tend to be the chattier of the sexes. But who wouldn't enjoy knowing her boyfriend a bit better? How can we girlfriends stack the cards in our favor? No more hiding the remote and hoping for the best, ladies. The keys to better communication may be easier than you think. 

1. Be authentic. Telling your boyfriend how you truly feel is telling him who you are. If you're pretending to be someone you're not, then you're wasting both his time and yours. Don't distort yourself in order to be someone you think he wants. All that will accomplish is a watering down of your personality and, ultimately, your appeal.

2. Exercise gentleness. Keeping a spirit of acceptance, empathy and non-judgment is key in hearing and being heard. Communication is about being open, and it's difficult to be open when you feel as if you could be hurt at any time. 

3. Ask open-ended questions. Approaching your man with inquiries that illicit a simple "yes" or "no" response and then expecting a lengthy or in-depth conversation surely sets you up for disappointment. Delve into what's on his mind by asking him what he thinks, how he feels or why he's motivated by what he loves in life.

4. Listen to your partner intently, and reflect what it is that you're hearing. This process is what mental health therapists call "mirroring." Imago Relationships International, a nonprofit counseling group, recommends ending with, "Did I get that?" or "Did I miss anything?" Summing up what your partner says, rather than interjecting your own view, is an excellent way to help him feel heard. When your boyfriend is feeling heard, he is more likely to open up and share even more with you. 

5. Be willing to be vulnerable. Letting someone into your mind and heart takes courage--and practice. If he sees you opening up, he'll feel safer doing the same. Also feel free to acknowledge his bravery if he suddenly lets you in on a topic he hasn't in the past. He will feel comforted knowing that you could see how difficult that was for him. 

6. Learn to stop arguments before they escalate. John Gottman, a psychologist who specializes in marriage and relationship counseling, states that successful repair and exit attempts are a major part of what separates the happy couples from those on rocky ground. According to his website, popular repair attempts include, "changing the topic to something completely unrelated; using humor; stroking your partner with a caring remark... and, in general, offering signs of appreciation for your partner and his or her feelings along the way.

Tips:  

- A few well chosen words are more powerful than long diatribes. When talking with men, less is often more.

- Choosing your moment is critical when approaching your boyfriend for serious discussions. Wait until he's not engrossed in something to let him know you'd like to talk.

- Take an active interest to what matters most to him. Asking thoughtful questions about what he loves will only endear you to him.

- Keep your body language open as this communicates a willingness to listen.

- Threats may very well be the kiss of death when it comes to communicating inside relationships. Don't tell him you'll leave him, even in extreme anger, unless you are prepared to stand by that statement. Dropping that bomb and not following through will only erode the integrity of your word in his eyes. In the end, remember always to say what you mean and mean what you say.

Source: ehow.com