Let’s face it, relationships are hard. They require a lot out of an individual, both emotionally and mentally. We may love our significant others, but as anyone in a long term relationship may be able to tell you, love alone is not able to sustain a long term relationship, there are other important aspects required.
Commitment, emotional vulnerability, a shared philosophy, and the ability to compromise, are just a few essential factors needed to maintain a healthy relationship. Creating and sustaining this middle ground does not always come easy, especially as we grow and change, both in life and in our relationship.
One way to help couples address some difficult areas that may have come about is to enlist the help of a quality therapist and to address them in couples therapy.
Couples therapy is a type of therapy that is geared toward helping individuals in a relationship to see the necessary growth areas that they can work on and help facilitate their journey towards growth. Its aim is to provide a safe environment where couples can be honest and upfront about their feelings while having a therapist present as a neutral other to identify problematic patterns of relating and instruct the couple how to replace them with healthier ones. A therapist’s objective is to first teach communication skills, to help the couple to be able to talk about areas of needed change as well as review other necessities of a healthy relationship.
Couples counseling is dependent upon both individuals in the relationship’s ability to be fully present and open to any feedback that may be presented during a session by either the other party or the therapist. A couples counseling session typically lasts from one hour to ninety minutes but is dependent on the time agreed upon between the couple and the therapist.
Couples counseling can be scary and intimidating at times, but it is not the only way to reconnect and revitalize your relationship. Here are 3 easy ways that couples can reconnect with each other in the comfort of their own home.
With a goal set in mind, couples are able to cheer and encourage each other on, helping to open the lines of communication and intimacy. It also gives the couple an activity that belongs solely to the relationship that they are able to concentrate on. Try and stick to your goals together and remember it is more about the journey than the destination.
Kissing boosts the levels of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin in your body, causing you to feel euphoric and encourages bonding and affection. It also lowers the levels of cortisol in your body alleviating stress in your body and helping to boost self-esteem.
For example, if your spouse identifies with physical touch the most, a good way to express affection would be through hugs and kisses. Getting on the same page with how each other expresses and feels affection will deepen the relationship and help in expressing gratitude toward one another.
Of course, all of the above-mentioned tips may be difficult to accomplish when there is a serious blockade or life stressor in the way that you may need some outside support to work through. If you would like to schedule an appointment for couples counseling or have any questions regarding the process, do not hesitate in reaching out to us. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. So take the step and schedule an appointment today to start working through your challenges and revitalizing your relationship.
