From The Straits Times    |


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1. Show him how much you love him
Communication is key to a successful marriage, and knowing your spouse’s love language is one way to express yourself in a way he understands and appreciates. The opposite is the same. There are five love languages – gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service and physical touch (source) – and knowing which language your spouse speaks is important. It doesn’t take long to find out which love language you each speak (you can go to www.5lovelanguages.com to find out). There is no point in expressing your affections in a way your partner won’t appreciate, as the message may not get across as effectively

 

2. Compliment and ask after one another daily
Even if you’re both living together, little gestures like asking if your spouse has taken his lunch show you care, and doesn’t take much effort to do.

 

3. Don’t compete
I’m referring to keeping tabs on who did what, who did this more, who’s not keeping up in terms of the chores or showing affection and so on. Keeping it in may build resentment, and you may snap or implode without knowing it.

See also: DROP THESE BAD RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS BEFORE GETTING MARRIED!

 

4. Apologise when you’re wrong
If you’re in a fight and you realise you’re in the wrong, suck it up and apologise. You can’t be right all the time, and if you let him apologise all the time, he may resent you for it in the long run. Apologising also means recognising that being in this relationship means more to you than winning the argument.

 

5. Know how you argue
Different personalities deal with fights differently, and that can hurt your relationship, especially if you feel neglected by your partner. Try and see if you can talk to your spouse and discuss your ways of dealing with emotional conflict. If that doesn’t work, seek the help of a third party – it can be a counsellor, a friend, a parent, or someone with experience, who you feel comfortable talking to. Take note of these  7 things not to do during an argument with your spouse.

 

6. Dress up once in a while
When you’ve been together for some time, the excitement of being in the relationship may start to wear off. Initiate date nights where you both have to dress up and look your best for one another. Men may be visual creatures, but we’re sure you’ll appreciate him looking dapper once in a while too.

See also: 8 EASY RELATIONSHIP RULES TO LIVE BY

 

7. Exercise together
Find an activity you both enjoy doing to make your bodies and marriage healthier.

8. Be spontaneous
Don’t wait for your husband to spring a sweet surprise on you. You can do it too, and it doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. Little gestures like getting him desert from his favourite hawker stall or writing a note before he leaves or gets home from work, will go a long way.

 

9. Look up from your phones
It’s easy to get distracted when you’re constantly on your phone. Instead, make it a point to leave your phones elsewhere when you’re spending time together – whether in or outside of the house.

10. Respect one another
This means no hurtful words or low blows, especially when you’re both fighting. If you notice you’re being mean, apologise immediately.

See also: 5 DANGER SIGNS EVERY COUPLE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR THAT MAY LEAD TO AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE