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Top 5 tips for a healthy and happy marriage

Top 5 tips for a healthy and happy marriage


Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio
Alison Hargreaves Updated:
8th of March 2023

Your wedding day is one of the most exciting times of your life. You've finally tied the knot and have married your best friend. Now that the wedding planning is over, it's time to start focusing on your marriage. We spoke to relationship expert Rachael Pace from Marriage.com to get her top tips for a healthy and happy marriage...

Top marriage tips | Guides for Brides

Even those living a happy married life know that relationship issues are bound to happen every once in a while. Silly arguments about who forgot to fill the ice-cube tray and different ideas about what to do on a Friday night are common, but they shouldn't overwhelm your marriage. That's why it's so important to learn the best tips and tricks for having the best marriage possible.

Your wedding and reception were beautiful memories. But they were just the start of your journey as a newly married couple. That's why we're showing you the top 5 tips for a happy married life.

Never Stop Dating Each Other

Quality time is essential for maintaining a happy and healthy marriage. Studies show that married couples experience greater happiness and less stress during the time they spend together.

Couples who make regular date nights a priority will see endless benefits. Research done by The National Marriage Project shows that couples who have a regular date night saw a spike in communication and sexual satisfaction. Date nights prevent boredom in the relationship and give you a chance to get together, flirt, and make one another feel special.

Research also suggests that those who make date night a priority are less likely to get divorced!

The more time you spend with your spouse, the closer you will become. Studies about lasting marriages reveal that couples who treat each other like best friends and view their marriage as a special, sacred institution are happier than those who don't.

Happy Couple | Top Tips for Happy Marriage | Guides for Brides

Healthy Communication is Key

Communication is the backbone of any healthy relationship. It's how couples get to know each other better, how they avoid relationship boredom, and how they learn to problem solve effectively.

Studies show that staying curious about a partner boosts marital satisfaction. So, in order to build your communications skills, you're going to need to start talking.

Talk about life. Ask questions about your spouse's upbringing, their thoughts and feelings on certain matters, and generally keep getting to know one another.

As unpleasant as talking about money can be, it is essential to figure out your finances if you want to avoid relationship issues in the future. Be open and honest about debts, earnings, and find a budget for your marriage that works for both of you.

Shared Interest | Top Tips for Happy Marriage | Guides for Brides

Explore Common Interests

Build a great foundation for the rest of your marriage. Studies show that shared activities with your spouse promote marital satisfaction. Couples are happier when they are sharing hobbies and activities together.

The longer you are in a relationship, the more routine your lives can become. Sharing hobbies with your spouse will give you something new to bond over and will strengthen your connection over time.

Some examples of common interests you can have together are:

  • Start exercising together
  • Take up a sport
  • Start sailing
  • Go fishing or camping together
  • Take up painting
  • Travel together and write a blog about it
  • Start a ballroom dancing class
  • Start cooking exciting meals together
  • Take up photography
  • Take a class together
  • Learn a new language

Not only will these activities give you and your spouse something to do and to bond over, but it will also teach you patience and cooperation.

Express Your Love for One Another

One of the best things you can do to make sure you're building a healthy marriage is to express your love for one another regularly.  

One of the most basic ways of doing this is to express yourself verbally. Studies show that the more physically intimate a couple is, the more likely they are to express their love for one another verbally.

Tell your spouse how much you love them. When you do this, be specific. Instead of saying, "I love you!" try citing examples like, "I love how patient you are with me, even when I get frustrated," or "I love that you always know how to make me laugh."

Citing these specific instances will make your expressions of love more meaningful.

Happy Marriage | Top Tips for a Healthy Marriage | Guides for Brides

Make A Happy Marriage Your Priority

As mentioned at the onset, date night is a great idea for couples looking to spend time together. A weekly date night is also great for new parents or for couples who have hectic schedules since it gives you time out together to relax and reconnect on a romantic level.

Part of spending quality time together means putting your phones away. Schedule an hour each and every day at the same time when you turn your devices off. This will allow you and your spouse to give each other your undivided attention.

As newlyweds, it’s important to build healthy relationship habits. Make quality time a priority in your lives, explore common interests, look for ways to show gratitude for one another, and build up your communication skills. These will help you to avoid troublesome relationship issues and have a happy married life.

However, problems are inevitable in a relationship. While most of them can be resolved between the couple, some problems need to be resolved exclusively by experts. If you ever hit a roadblock that you can’t seem to overcome, seek help from a marriage counsellor.

Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio

About the author


Alison Hargreaves

Alison has been advising brides, grooms and bridesmaids for more than 25 years. She has an unrivalled knowledge of the British wedding industry and frequently appears on podcasts and expert panels. She regularly attends international wedding conferences to keep the UK at the forefront of wedding planning trends.

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