Relationships thrive and flourish on the small gestures that show you care rather than the grand ones. And it starts with something as simple as a good morning kiss.
Longterm relationships have a way of fizzling out unless taken extra care of. Couples who make an effort to spend time and communicate with each other are most likely the successful ones. In the US, the rate of divorce has fallen to 3.2 people out of 1,000, according to official data. However, that is not because marriages are lasting longer, it is because the marriage rate has also declined. People are scared about committing themselves lifelong to a single partner or are getting married much later in life these days.
No matter when they marry, they have something to learn from those who have been together for decades. For example, actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson have been together for 31 years now. In a speech, he had said, "I have that in a lover that is so close to fine we should all be able to experience such heaven right here on earth." Or, look at Judge Judy and her husband, Jerry Sheindlin, who have been together for 41 years. The couple is still very much in love and despite a rocky few years, they are still as solid as ever.
Successful couples create rituals, bedtime or morning ones, and that's what keeps their relationship going. You might think you have to dash through packing lunch and getting ready to rush out of home in the morning, but if you add these six rituals to your mornings, your relationship will flourish further:
It can be a fun ritual you try out once in a week or two weeks to keep things fiery between you. While you get to be clean you also get to admire your partner naked. It's not just a way to save time but can add some spice to your relationship. It sets the mood for the rest of the day and keeps you hoping for more to happen. It can be part of your day-long seduction so that when things actually get hot and heavy under the sheets, the two of you are raring to go.
Small gestures matter a lot in a relationship, according to HuffPost. So, when you write a note and leave for them to find in the morning, it's a reminder of the affection and love you feel. It's a way to reinforce that they are always on your mind. You don't have to be a poet to leave a note, just saying "I love you" or "I miss you" will be enough. It makes a sweet start to your day.
Add an element of affection to your morning routine by hugging, kissing or just snuggling a little longer before you head out. According to research, Hands-On Research: The Science of Touch, people use touch to communicate emotions like gratitude and love. So, when you hold someone close to you and look into their eyes before kissing them, you are expressing your love and gratitude for having them in your life.
Messiness is one of the most annoying habits, according to Psychology Today. As many as 8 in 10 couples say that messiness causes tension and conflict in the relationship, according to Columbia University management professor Eric Abrahamson and Massachusetts journalist David H. Freedman, authors of A Perfect Mess. So, make sure that you don't start your day with a fight about whose turn it is to make the bed and keep it a calm morning for both partners. In a good relationship, nobody has to keep up after the other. It doesn't take long to fold your blanket and fluff your pillow!
Instead of waking up your partner with a jolt by screaming “let’s go!" or "we’re late again!”, do it with kindness. You can wake them up with a gentle pat, kiss, hug, or just slightly shaking them instead of jerking them awake. If you play some feel-good music in the morning, that too can put them in a good mood which will help them have a good day ahead.
Don't be in a rush to get out of bed and get things going the moment you wake up. Couples could hold on to each other in the morning and night, it is a great way to begin the day.
"Though you may give a hug before leaving for work or hug your partner before falling asleep, this is a focused moment to consciously share with your partner, Charley Ferrer, clinical sexologist and author of Sex Unlimited, told Women's Health.
What's your favorite morning ritual that you share with your partner?
References:
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/a19990659/habits-of-happy-couples/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/articles/200903/youre-driving-me-crazy
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-small-acts-in-a-relationship_b_7442724
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/hands_on_research
