6 Couple Resolutions That Will Strengthen Your Relationship in 2020
The new year is exciting for most of us. If you’re like thousands of others, you’ve set goals to get in shape, begin a new diet, or try a new hobby to feel more energetic and confident. However, have you talked to your partner about your relationship resolutions? Since relationships are alive, they respond quickly to changes made by couples who are invested in creating a happier and closer union. You don’t need intense therapy to make this happen. Setting goals and celebratin
7 Times Your Spouse Needs Extra TLC
Studies have revealed time and time again that one of the primary benefits of being married is having a partner you can rely on for support and care when you’re going through a tough time. Mental health experts have started including their clients’ spouses when they are going through an emotional crisis or a stressful time in their life to help restore balance and wellbeing more readily. Whether you’ve been married for a short time or several years, you must realize you play
Is the White House News Making You and Your Relationship Sick?
U.S politics has never been as divisive and labile as it has within recent years. All signs currently suggest that this will continue as impeachment hearings are suggested, stocks plummet, and hate crimes and shootings continue. The instability is felt by most Americans. Emergency room physicians report that national politics has started to impact emotional and physical health. Nearly two out of every five Americans cite politics as their main source of stress, and one in fiv
Love Making Starts Outside the Bedroom
When one partner begins blaming the other in the bedroom or withdraws from intimacy, very rarely do couples look at what is going on outside the bedroom. However, good sex begins outside the bedroom, and bad sex rarely happens when the rest of the relationship is well supported. Although couples come in seeking help in the bedroom, the problem rarely begins there or is focused there. If your bedroom has become more of an office or reading room than a place for love making, ch
Relearning How to Love Your Marriage When the Last Kid is Gone
Divorce has gone down, except in one category. That category is empty-nesters. It’s common for couples to experience anxiety prior to their children leaving. In fact, many couples go through a transition period, similar to what their child goes through, three to six months prior to them moving out. They don’t sleep well, feel more stressed, and worry about their future. There are uncertainties about what your life will look life when the kids move out; will you be one of thos
Is your relationship problem sleeping next to you?
I was recently asked to contribute to an article for the New York Times about whether or not spouses should sleep in the same bed. Sleeping next to each other can enhance your marriage; however, how many sleepless nights should you suffer through before talking to your partner about changing your sleep style at night? Suggesting a sleep divorce may seem drastic but so is sleep deprivation. Body heat, snoring, body odor, restless leg syndrome, or simply needing space are reaso
Do You Know Your Relationship Bill of Rights?
A big, common problem I see with my clients is the misunderstanding of what it means to be married. There is more time spent planning the wedding and engagement than considering the concept of spending the rest of their life together. Therefore, couples often have unrealistic expectations or no expectations at all. Although there are no guarantees in marriage, there are healthy expectations you should hold for yourself and your spouse. Below are ten things that should compris
6 Everyday Things You Do That Ruin Your Relationship
When couples split up, everyone wants to know what happened. Friends close to the couple may say, “I thought they were so happy together,” or, “Why after so many years?” However, it’s not always the big things that cause the biggest threat. Sometimes it’s the little things; for example, the numerous times you broke a promise, didn’t show gratitude, or forgot a special occasion. In long-term relationships, the constant threat is taking your partner for granted and failing to m
5 Warning Signs Your Marriage Needs Attention
There is no perfect marriage and all marriages need constant attention to keep them vibrant and alive. Years of working with couples has taught me the number one reason marriages fall apart is because partners stop listening and paying attention to each other. When someone feels as though what they say or feel doesn’t matter, they learn to protect themselves from getting hurt. They achieve this by giving up on expressing their emotional needs. Once this happens the couple los
Divorce Rates at an All-Time Low…Unless You’re Over 55
It seems ironic, but for the first time in marriage history, your risk for divorce is higher as you age. This is especially true if you’re 55 years or older. What’s behind this new trend? It’s multi-faceted. Millennials are cohabiting and delaying marriage until later in life, which is the reason their divorce rate has lowered. Meanwhile, couples that have been together for 20 years or more are divorcing. Here are a few reasons: Second or multiple marriages have a greater ris