When Marriage Suffers from Passion Fatigue: 4 tips for a stronger emotional bond
By Kimberly Jill Smith, LPC
In this video, you’ll learn what happens when you are grie
Is your marriage losing its spark? Maybe you and your spouse focused on careers, raising children, and keeping up with the house that you forgot to tend to the relationship.
Many couples struggle with passion fatigue and forget what it’s like to look enjoy being with one another. Sometimes knowing you/re loved is not enough to feel connected emotionally. Fortunately, you can rekindle the relationship and strengthen your emotional bond.
Emotional bonds may be something you’ve never heard of, or given much thought to, but research shows that how emotionally safe you feel in your relationship matters. Much like a child needs to have a safe, consistent, nurturing bond with its mother, spouses need that from each other.
How do we know if we have a strong emotional bond with our partner? All relationships are different and there is no such thing as a perfect marriage, but a hallmark of a strong relationship is when partners can authentically express themselves, sharing vulnerabilities with the assurance that these weaknesses are secure within the relationship.
Here are 4 tips to make your bond with your spouse stronger:
- Spend Quality Time. Be intentional about this. Pick times when you and your partner can both be engaged with one another.
- Try New Things. Be open to doing what each other likes, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. If it matters to them, let them know it matters to you!
- Handle Conflict Well. Remember that when we are hurt or angry, we often aren’t great communicators. So, when conflict arises, listen to what your partner is saying. Really listen to understand them, and not just to have a response ready.
- Ask For Help. It’s ok to say you need help. Counseling can be a great place for you and your partner to build the connection you are seeking in a safe, nurturing environment.