There’s no doubt that it it takes work to maintain a strong, loving, meaningful marriage, but it’s that work combined with compromise that can also make a successful marriage so fulfilling. If you’re looking for ways to strengthen your marriage and make sure it withstands the test of time, hone in on the fundamentals of marriage such as communication, honesty and romance—and think a little creatively, too. Here are a few unconventional ways to ensure that love keeps burning strong.
Play Games
According to Science-Based Life, there are three components to romantic love: intimacy, passion and commitment. Intimacy requires the sharing of inner emotions, fun and fear. Many confuse intimacy with either sex or emotional meltdowns. Though you can be intimate during these events, many day-to-day activities can also inspire intimacy, such as playing games together.
Play video games together. They don’t require special weather conditions like outdoor sports do, and they enable couples to communicate and work together while playing. Plus, it’s just a lot of fun. Pick up a PlayStation 4 and use it for gaming, watching videos or exercising together. These daily bonding activities are the basis of a truly intimate lifelong relationship.
Evaluate TV in the Bedroom
For years, marriage experts have advised against TV in the bedroom, saying that the room should be reserved for sleeping and passionate endeavors. “Many couples with televisions in their bedroom use it as a distraction from connecting and to avoid intimacy, which can be thwarting to your sex life,” says Emily Morse, Ph.D., sex and relationship expert and co-founder of Emily & Tony. However, this depends on the couple, she advises. “If couples are setting ‘date nights’ around their favorite TV shows or watching erotic movies together and this inspires them to cuddle and have sex, the benefits for this type of situation are clear.”
Consider how watching TV in your bedroom affects you and your partner—is it something that distracts from your relationship, or is it something that brings you and your partner closer? Aim for the latter.
Vacation Often
Because of work demands and finances, many couples do not take vacation. Because of this, they miss out on the opportunity to rekindle passion, explore intimacy and develop another component of love: commitment.
Make vacations a priority. They don’t need to be long to be effective—even a weekend getaway can help to break the routine of everyday life. Focus on making memories together and getting out of your comfort zone, even if it’s a staycation for just a day or two. By re-prioritizing your relationship, you’re taking your passion and intimacy and recommitting it into the marriage.
Take Up a Hobby
Adopt a new hobby and learn something new together. Whether it’s ballroom dancing, ice hockey, playing the guitar or photography, you’ll forge a new bond by exploring something new together. Make your new interest a priority by scheduling time for it on a regular basis. As you discover new layers within your hobby, you’ll also learn more about your partner.
