There are very few things in this world that are better than a great marriage or relationship. Antithetically, there are very few things worse than a lousy one! Statistics say half of all marriages end in divorce, and non-marriage relationships are even worse. Let's face it; great relationships take a lot of work! So how can we "stack the deck" in favor of an AWESOME relationship? This article lists 26 ways to increase intimacy and thus improve your relationship. Part 2 Has 26 more!.1.
Learn what your spouse likes in a back rub and practice giving it to them. Discover the difference between a massage that relaxes and one that arouses, and use them appropriately. Both types will improve relationship intimacy.2. Give your spouse LOTS of compliments, especially in public.
Look for opportunities to let everyone know what an AWESOME person you are sharing your life with. Your relationship intimacy can only benefit from this practice.3. Rediscover those "smiling eyes" that wink, flirt, and gaze longingly at your spouse. Practice the "look of love" that you can share at any time and in any place and thus improve relationship intimacy.
4. Create a Fill-in-the-Blank love letter for him or her and mail it to them, along with a self addressed, stamped return envelope. This one will give your relationship intimacy a real boost.5. Get your wedding license reduced, laminate it, and carry it proudly in your wallet or purse.
Show it to new friends, and they will be impressed by your intimate relationship.6. Learn to use the telephone answering machine or cell phone voice mail when you are at home together. Prove to your spouse that they are more important than anyone who could be calling on the phone. He or she will know your relationship intimacy matters.7.
Discuss acceptable, unique ways to display affection in public. Holding hands, hugs, linked elbows, kisses, secret words, and so forth. And by all means ? use them to improve relationship intimacy!.
8. Plan a Day Trip for just the two of you. Include a picnic or eating out.
It could be a drive through the countryside, shopping, flea marketing or antiquing, or visiting a new town or quaint village. Practice relationship intimacy during the day.9. Arrange for a manicure/pedicure and spa treatment for her. Allow her to feel what it's like to be pampered. You won't be sorry and neither will your intimate relationship.
10. Create "Coupons" to be redeemed at any time. They could include Any Household Chore, One Free Neck or Foot Rub, A Bubble Bath, A Candlelight Dinner for Two, A Massage, A Night of Love-Making, One Day Together Doing Only What You Want, and so forth.
Use your imagination to improve the intimacy in your relationship.11. Buy tickets to his or her favorite event. It could be pro basketball, baseball, or football. Or it could be the opera, the ballet, or the symphony. Really go the second mile by getting tickets to Pro-Wrestling, a Monster Truck Show, or NASCAR! Or you could go to a fashion show or all night "chick Flicks.
" Make a weekend of it, and I'm sure your relationship intimacy will get some enjoyment as well.12. Say "I'm sorry" the next time you mess up or something goes wrong, and mean it! Then try very hard not to do that thing again. And the next time they ask for forgiveness, grant it with humility.
There is something intimate about being vulnerable to one another.13. Attend Bible Study and Worship together. Believe it or not, intimacy is a God thing. When you are ready, you can add praying together, daily family devotions, teaching Sunday School or a home based Bible Study together, charity work as a couple, and so on.
This will boost your spiritual relationship intimacy dramatically.14. Exercise together. Lift weights, jog, ride bikes, or whatever. Exercise increases your metabolism, helping you keep that girlish figure or cute butt (3 or more 30 minute sessions a week). It also releases endorphins (the same ones released during sexual intimacy).
A growing number of studies confirm a correlation between regular aerobic exercise and sexual desire and ability, and intimacy in a relationship.15. Find ways to assure your spouse that you are thinking of them when you are apart.
Call one another at work or text message one another during the day. Send her flowers while she is traveling. Write her letters on the hotel stationary.
Call late at night to say I couldn't sleep without you by my side. Have the pizza boy bring a pizza with the message "All she said was she was dreaming about you!" That will give your intimacy a kick in the pants for sure!.16.
Set up a Boys Night out for him. Would he enjoy an all night Bowl-a-Rama? How about cards till dawn? Or tickets to a tractor pull or a gun show? Use your imagination. He will surely show more intimacy as a result.
17. Plan a Girls Night Out for your wife and her best friends. Work with other husbands to plan a great evening where they can escape the routine. She will surely show more intimacy as a result.18. Practice listening better and more often.
Turn off the TV or radio and have a substantive discussion about the activities of the day, the needs of the children, or your plans and dreams for the future. Taking risks with one another is a relationship intimacy bulder.19. Catch your partner doing something that pleases you.
Tell them why you are pleased, and how glad you are to have them in your life. Give them a big hug and kiss, and maybe a pat of encouragement. (Where you give the "Pat" is up to you, depending upon how intimate you feel!).
20. Buy your spouse a new watch. Have it inscribed with "I always have time for you!" Thoughtful gestures like that build relationship intimacy quickly.21.
Purchase an umbrella built for two then take a walk with it the next time it rains. It'll force you to walk closely together, and you'll soon be laughing and enjoying the intimacy of closeness.22. Call your spouse's parents. Find out about their favorite things as a child.
Prepare an evening of their favorite childhood food, dessert, story, song, movie, and so on.23. Discuss your responses to the question "what can I do to make our relationship and our intimacy more romantic and meaningful for you?" And of course you will want to fulfill those wants, needs, and desires of your spouse at every opportunity.
24. Have a wedding cake made for your anniversary. Invite friends over for cake, punch and wedding pictures.
Make sure the friends know just how "special" you think your spouse is. Who knows, someone else's relationship intimacy might get a boost as a result.25. Always remember EVERY birthday, anniversary, holiday, and special occasion! You can lavish her with gifts 99 out of 100 times, and I guarantee you the only one she will remember is the one you forgot! If money is an issue, hand pick flowers, make a card, write a song or poem (it doesn't have to be good ? as long as it's from your heart ? she will love it and adore you for writing it!), grill hot dogs, go on a picnic, or whatever.
Relationship intimacy doesn't have to cost money!.26. Use all five of your senses to entertain and/or please your spouse. If you've forgotten, the five senses include seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching. Since this is a "G" rated article, I won't get into any details.
Let's suffice to say, "Be creative and use your imagination!" You won't believe how quickly relationship intimacy will climax.Here is a tool for using these ideas. Go through the entire list together and rate each of the ideas. Ladies, place your numbers on the left side of each item. Gentlemen, place your ratings on the right side of each idea.
Use the following rating scale:.1 = My Personal Favorites!.2 = I Would Love For You To Do This For Me!.3 = I Would Love To Do This For You!.4 = Let's Discuss This Idea Further!.
5 = There Ain't No Way, Baby!.Have fun with this list of 26 ideas. The bottom line of this article is really a two-fold focus.
First, I want you to learn to think of the wants, needs and desires of your spouse before you think of your own. Second, I want you to learn to have fun together again! Let your imagination run wild! Try actually doing the things listed in this article. If you will just do one each week, you will increase the intimacy in your relationship (at least once a week) for six months. Part two of this series has 26 more ways to improve relationship intimacy. Look for it in the Feature Articles Section of K-9 Outfitters, a Division of Damascus Road Enterprises.
Danny Presswood, 2006 All Rights Reserved.
.Danny Presswood is a retired US Army Combat (Airborne) Chaplain.He and his wife Cheri now live in the wooded Ozarks hills of SW MO. Presently working on his Doctorate, Danny writes the Feature Articles and Newsletter for K-9 Outfitters, A Division of Damascus Road Enterprises, which offers a plethora of AWESOME discount, luxury, unique, and Handmade in the USA Online Dog Supplies. K-9 Outfitters, A Division of Damascus Road Enterprises.
By: Danny Presswood