Relationship Tips · Jan 04, 2023

Have a Lasting Marriage by Doing These Simple Daily Habits

There is no one secret to a happy marriage.

Marriage requires constant, daily effort to show up and be present with your partner. But in times of low energy or tension, it can help to return to some actionable practices that you can rely on to promote love, communication, and intimacy in your relationship.

A lasting marriage is no easy feat, and often everyday life can get in the way of connecting with your spouse. But with these simple daily habits, maintaining a sense of connection and closeness with them can become a lot easier, more comfortable, and more natural.

Read time: approximately 5 minutes.

Have a Lasting Marriage by Doing These Simple Daily Habits

Build And Share Daily Rituals

If you and your partner are missing out on quality time together, it might be a good idea to develop a ritual you know you will both return to each day.

Whether it is eating a specific meal together, making coffee in the morning, or going for an evening walk, a shared daily ritual can work wonders for intimacy.

When you’re married to someone for long enough, you tend to forget how important it is to spend active, intentional time together. A daily ritual (no matter how small) can remind you.

a man surprising his girlfriend; both being happy and smiling

Express Gratitude At Every Opportunity

Everyone appreciates being thanked for their input and efforts in life, especially in close emotional relationships. Expressing earnest gratitude for your spouse’s help and support fosters a healthy cycle of reciprocated appreciation that makes both of you feel seen, heard, and loved.

From the way they gave you the last piece of pizza to running an important errand on your behalf, expressing gratitude at every corner is one of the most effective ways to stoke the fires of love in a long-term committed relationship.

Spoil Each Other

Who doesn’t love being spoiled by their beloved? It makes you feel special and adored. Spoiling each other with little gifts or experiences throughout the week preserves those giddy feelings of excitement and keeps things fresh and exciting, no matter how many years it’s been since your honeymoon phase.

It doesn’t have to be a huge, expensive gesture to have the desired effect. Small acts of kindness like making them their favorite breakfast or giving them a foot massage are great ways to express your love that cost almost nothing except time.

a loving couple cuddling; the woman leaning towards the man and smiling

Share Physical Affection

Sharing physical affection forms a big part of what most couples need in order to stay connected, content, and in sync with one another. From a kiss on the cheek to cuddling before work, staying physically connected can bring you closer to each other emotionally and make both feel great.

Amidst the hustle and bustle and big impact of social media in our daily life, making time for physical affection can be a challenge. But by including it as a part of your day, it can be much easier to feel the romance and tenderness you crave.

Give Compliments

Few people tire of hearing compliments about how they look, act, or exist in the world, particularly when it comes from a loving partner.

Even if you’ve told them how beautiful they are a million times before, don’t stop! It is positive words of affirmation like those that make most people feel treasured.

Besides, it can be fun to get creative about the kind of compliments you give. If you love the way they handled a conflict at work, tell them.

If the way they organized the kitchen shelves makes your heart melt, tell them. Compliments are a great way to keep both of you feeling confident and attractive.

a loving couple watching outside the window

Laugh Together

Laughter is really important for mental and emotional health. There’s even evidence to suggest it’s good for physical health, too. Without it, your relationship may start to feel stale or somber, and that can make the process of maintaining a lasting marriage difficult.

Feeling silly and childlike together will keep you both feeling younger and more full of life, all the while bringing you closer together and reinforcing a positive bond.

Go To Bed Together

If you and your partner work very different schedules, this may not always be possible. But going to bed together is a powerful ritual that can help synchronize your movements and your body clocks while promoting a sense of consistency in an otherwise busy lifestyle.

Going to bed at the same time also opens up the opportunity to debrief about your days and check in with each other emotionally. If someone is feeling stressed or overwhelmed, bedtime is a good time to vent it out and exchange mutual emotional support.

a man and woman being close; the man gives a gift to the woman

Celebrate Special Moments

Sometimes, it’s hard to remember to celebrate special moments. Life gets busy and schedules get chaotic, and a year goes by before you know it. Making an effort to mark special occasions that have meaning for you can reaffirm your relationship and build stronger bonds.

Commemorate your first kiss with a special evening out, celebrate your first date by recreating it every year and treat each other to meaningful gifts on your anniversary. The memories of these special moments will carry you through when life gets tough and you feel a little disconnected from one another.

Check In With Each Other

While we’re on the topic of daily debriefing, let’s focus for a moment on the importance of checking in with each other. Asking your partner how they are doing and what their day has been like shows that you care about their life, and want to provide a safe space for mutual self-reflection and communication.

It might not always be possible (or desirable) to have a lengthy discussion each day about the intricacies of your lives, but spending even just a few minutes finding out how you’re both doing emotionally, mentally, and physically is a really effective way to breed sustainable trust and connection.

Apologize

Don’t wait for things to build up into a big storm before making an apology for something you did. Say sorry as soon as you realize you’ve put a foot wrong, and do what you can to remedy the situation in a sincere and actionable way.

Everybody makes mistakes sometimes, but it’s how you handle them that matters most. If you want your marriage to withstand the test of time, apologize regularly to let your partner know you take their happiness seriously and are willing to make amends when needed.

a loving couple sitting in bed; they are surrounded by red balloons

Final Thoughts

Marriage is not easy, but it can be made very rewarding when you employ the right approach. The aim is to make them feel cherished and prioritized in your life. When both parties put in this kind of effort, continued love and intimacy can develop naturally.