Practicing gratitude in marriage is undoubtedly one of the key tools to maintaining a happy and successful relationship. Gratitude seems like a simple (and albeit obvious) answer, but it gets overlooked more times than you think. Arguing and communication issues are among the top 10 reasons why couples divorce (marriage.com / psychcentral).
So, what exactly is a gratitude practice and how can we use it to strengthen a marriage? Let’s get into it!
This post is all about 5 Effective Ways to Practice Gratitude in Marriage
What is a Gratitude Practice?
A gratitude practice is an activity that highlights the good things (both tangible and intangible) that are present in your life. This practice gives you a positive perspective on life and has many benefits including improved relationships, less stress, improved mood, and more. Gratitude plays an integral role in our emotional and mental well-being.
5 Effective Ways to Start Appreciating Your Spouse
Start practicing gratitude in marriage effectively with these 5 simple tips.
1. Start a marriage gratitude journal
This is a great practice and a fun activity that you can do together. Grab a journal and before you go to bed you and your spouse can pull it out and write down all the things you were grateful for that day. Try to list items that are directly related to each other and your relationship. Once the journal is full you’ll have an entire book on what you appreciate about each other to look back on!
Photos by Michelle NP
2. Commit to your promises
Nothing breaks down trust and gratitude in relationships like not sticking to your word. When you commit to showing up for your partner whether it’s an important family function or doing your share of the housework, you have to keep your word. If we fall into a pattern of never keeping our promises we’re diminishing trust and causing resentment. Committing to your promises shows your partner that you appreciate and value your relationship.
3. Use appreciation affirmations
If you read “The 5 Love Languages” then you know the importance of words of affirmation. Sometimes it’s easy to think our partners know how much we care for them because we’ve stuck around, or because we do things around the house for them, etc. However, if we’re not actively verbalizing this to them they may start to feel unappreciated over time. Keep reading for some easy yet impactful appreciated quotes you can start using on your partner today.
4. Bring back date night!
When is the last time you and your husband/wife/partner have gone on a date? It’s really easy to get caught up in our daily routines and responsibilities, and let the quality time in our relationships fade away. Date nights are important for maintaining your romantic and emotional connection and are a great way to practice gratitude in your relationship. Surprise your honey with a date night calendar invite and bring some romance back to your dynamic.
5. Get a thoughtful gift
Who doesn’t love coming home to a cute gift from their spouse?! something small that just says “I was thinking about you today”. Gifts don’t need to be expensive to be valuable, they could be flowers or even their favorite chocolate bar. As long as the gift is thoughtful it will make them feel appreciated. What makes a gift thoughtful? a thoughtful gift is anything that will show your partner that you’re paying attention to them. Have they mentioned wanting to start yoga? maybe you can get them a day pass to a local studio. Perhaps they’ve been complaining about being tired and really needing a break, you could surprise them with a massage or run them a bubble bath. Thoughtful gifts are an excellent way to show your partner you appreciate them.
Marriage Appreciation Quotes
“I appreciate everything you do for me”
“Thank you for doing (x chore) today”
“I appreciate that you listen to”
“I appreciate you for making dinner tonight”
“Thank you for always being there for me”
“I appreciate your emotional support”
“I appreciate your affection”
“Thank you for loving me”
In Summary,
Not enough couples are practicing gratitude in their marriage! It’s a simple tool that has the power to save your relationship. You can practice gratitude in marriage effectively by;
- Starting a marriage gratitude journal
- Committing to your promises
- Using appreciation affirmations
- Bringing back date nights!
- Getting a thoughtful gift
This post was all about 5 Effective Ways to Practice Gratitude in Marriage
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