Is There STRESS in Your Relationship?

Are you always arguing?

Do you feel more like roommates than lovers?

Are you getting the ‘LOVING’ you need?

Are you missing the passion and intimacy you once had?

Are you communicating your feelings or simply pushing them down so as not to ignite any fires?

Many couples out there can answer YES to one or more of the above questions. We are way too busy and imbalanced in one or more areas of our lives and we are neglecting the individuals we love most. As with our cars, relationships need ongoing maintenance. If you ignore the ‘signs’, things start to break down. If you wait too long to do something about it – major damage can occur.

60% of Canadians who work outside of the home cannot balance their work and family demands

40% of Ontario Marriages End in Divorce

1 in 3 breakups is due to a lack of intimacy

Don’t ignore the signs, don’t accept a mediocre relationship. You can make significant changes in your relationship with the following simple tips.

Tips For Healthy Relationships:

1. Plan regular date nights in and outside of the home.

2. Min. of once a week have one one one catching up sessions…just the two of you snuggling up and talking with out the TV. Choose a day of the week and try your best to be consistent. ie. Tuesday nights dedicate 30 mins. to an hour of chatting time or if the kids are out of the house at school why not make every Thursday – ‘Naked thursdays’. Do your chat and whatever else ‘NAKED’.

3. When you are upset about something your spouse did, didn’t do, first step back from the situation…

* take some time to decompress,

* try to see the situation from their point of view,

* after you are decompressed, if you still think changes need to happen in order to create a healthier relationship, schedule time with them to sit and talk about it.

4.Getaways – whether it’s one night at a hotel, a weekend away or a weeks vacation, find the time and dedicate resources to have that romantic alone time.

5. Play and Laugh together – do this as often as you can. Take recreation courses together, join a team or a club and take personal growth workshops as a couple. Learn, Grow, Play and Laugh.

Written by: Jacquie Hermans – laugh@lightnup.ca

 

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