NEW YEAR, NEW ME Spice Up Your Marriage by Getting Active!

By The DivaGals | January 7, 2015 | Food Fashion Style

We’re all about our “New Year, New Me” theme, for single and married Divas alike! Today, we explore how to make your marriage the best it can be in 2015!

Just like they do every year, a lot people have made New Year’s resolutions to drink less, exercise more and eat healthier, but very few will think of applying similar health goals to their relationship with their partner. If you’re one of the many who think that such goals are unnecessary because your relationship is “fine,” that right there could be an indicator that it’s time to get to work.

Maybe things aren’t going poorly between you and your honey, but work and other life stresses have caused things to become a little dull lately. Or perhaps your date nights have been substituted with going to bed early, and you just don’t feel as connected as you once were. There’s always room for improvement, so why settle for “fine” when you could make it great?

One of the quickest ways you can add some spice to your marriage is by getting active. Sometimes spending time together on the sofa, watching movies and eating popcorn is a great way to bond. But if you’re spending the majority of your one-on-one time doing the same thing day in and and day out, how much quality bonding are you really gaining from it?

And, if you’re really honest with yourself, are you spending that time getting closer with your partner, or are you both on your phones or tablets, playing games or checking emails while a show plays in the background?

Engaging in a physically demanding activity together such as rock climbing or hiking will certainly keep you from getting distracted with your mobile devices. And as WebMD explains, it’s a great way to rev up the brain’s pleasure circuit. It’s the area that’s in charge of producing “happy” chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins.
Plus, being more physically engaged has other benefits for your overall heath. When you look and feel good, you’ll be more inclined to show it off, ditching some of the insecurities that could have kept you from feeling uninhibited in the past.

The positivity you gain from the increased amount of pleasure chemicals can be infectious, spreading to and subsequently bettering other parts of your life as well. It can help you manage stress, alleviate anxiety, and give you an overall sunnier disposition.

Of course, the activity you share in private is just as important. Sex may not be the only form of intimacy, but once again, “fine” isn’t a word you should be using when describing your sex life! To kick things up a notch, extend your resolution of trying new and more adventurous things to behind closed doors. Even something as simple as changing up the location can be a thrill. Next time things get hot and heavy, try having a steamy rendezvous in the shower, or give the washing machine a ride during the spin-cycle.

A new sex toy or accessory can also help crank up the heat. For those who don’t have a lot of experience selecting said products, an article on the Adam and Eve blog titled “First Time Items For The Sex Toy Squeamish” can ease you into the process of finding what interests you or what would best work for you and your partner. Just make sure you talk with your partner about it beforehand. Not everyone appreciates the surprise of a third party in bed.

While bettering your marriage may not sound like a conventional way to achieve your individual goals of self-improvement, it can actually be a more effective way of doing so. Remember, your partner is called your “better half” for a reason. The happier you are as a couple, the happier you’ll be as an individual. So whether you’re strapping on a pair of hiking boots or stripping down completely, make an effort to be more active this year. As Boston Magazine says, “A couple that sweats together, stays together.”