WAYS TO RESTORE AFFECTION IN YOUR MARRIAGE
The power of affection has been proven in several studies to have a positive impact on life and improve the overall well-being of a couple in the relationship and marriage. The level of affection a spouse expresses compared to what he/she receives plays a huge significance in their communication and personal benefits too. An affectionate spouse is identified by his warm, loving, and caring character while attending to the needs of his spouse. Affection is essential in sustaining a good marriage and it is also required in restoring a struggling marriage to life again.
There are several reasons why your marriage may be lacking affection, however, if you are both deliberate about the situation, you will be able to explore different ways and practices that can help restore affection to your marriage again.
(1.) Take ownership of your behavior: once affectionate spouse can become detached if the other half’s behaviour is affecting his emotional reasoning. It is important to take ownership and look back at your attitudes and unreasonable dispositions and how they may have impacted your spouse over the years. Perhaps you are too judgmental of your spouse and often make him feel inadequate and insensitive towards you. It is important to take ownership of your behaviour and restore the affection you once enjoyed. Let your partner know that you are willing to become more understanding and less judgmental going forward in your marriage.
(2.). Provide comfort and reassurance: Everyone’s love language is different, while one spouse is naturally affectionate and affirms his feelings and appreciation; it can take the other partner longer to express warmth especially if she cannot communicate her feelings loud and clear. The lack of self-confidence can impact your spouse’s ability to initiate affection and understanding her love language can help you support her better. Make time for each other to express your feelings and if you are struggling to communicate, name your feelings in words like; sad, hurt, angry, tired, and afraid so that your spouse can relate to them. Perhaps your spouse enjoys spending quiet moments with you, either going on walks or to the cinema; make that time special and appreciate the moment spent together. Hold your spouse’s hands for reassurance and make her comfortable enough to be able to express her feelings and affection with courage and ease.
(3.) Show love and respect at all time: One of the reasons why affection gradually declines in some marriages is due to a lack of respect especially when one partner feels more entitled and less appreciative of the other partner’s efforts. This can be attributed to several factors such as age differences, status, life experiences, and beliefs which have continued to set many couples apart in their marriages today. Everyone deserves affectionate love and care, however, the lack of respect in your marriage can break your spouse’s trust and stability leaving her masking the feeling of hurt, and insecurity and with little or no confidence to show affection. Irrespective of your achievements, your marriage can change your life for better or worse, and when you start to show love and respect to the man or woman in your life, you will gradually start to experience affection back in return.
