Gratitude is a great way to boost your happiness and improve any relationship. One of the main causes of an unhappy marriage is that spouses don’t feel appreciated or valued. Appreciating your partner and feeling appreciated can change the course of your marriage. Practicing gratitude plays a major role in not just helping a relationship but positively impacting couples individually as well.

While you can always opt for a marriage retreat in Texas for an intensive marriage counseling session to fix a marriage that has been struggling for a while, you can still implement gratitude in your life to make some improvements.  

Here are some useful tips for practicing gratitude in your marriage to strengthen your bond:

Starting a Gratitude Journal 

Start a gratitude journal or a gratitude jar for one another. Write down one reason why you are grateful for your partner every day in the journal or on a sticky note and add it in the jar. Present this gratitude journal or jar to each other on an anniversary, birthday, or other special occasions. 

This simple yet loving gesture is bound to result in both of you appreciating one another and your relationship. It will not just remind you of the qualities you love about your partner and show them how grateful you are to them. 

Thanking Your Spouse 

If you don’t already, start thanking your partner each day for things they do for you each do. It can be for something as little as helping with some chore, walking the dog, or even opening a door for you. Be grateful for the things you do for one another instead of focusing on the negative things. 

The main point of this is to show one another that you notice the things you do for each other and appreciate them. 

Complimenting Each Other 

Giving compliments to one another is a great way to strengthen your relationship. Compliment your partner on their good nature, sense of humor, cooking skills, appearance, and more. You can do this in private, and even when in public. 

Listening 

Listening to understand, not to respond, is somewhat of a lost art nowadays. Whenever your partner speaks, give them your full attention. Set your phone aside, take a break from work and chores, and make eye contact. 

Try understanding what they have to say and what it makes them feel. Ask questions, respond thoughtfully, and show them that you actually care.  

Being Intimate 

There is nothing like sharing intimate moments with your spouse to improve your relationship and increase your happiness. A pat on the leg or back, shoulder rub, hugs, or holding hands can go a long way!

Finding that spark, being more attentive, and appreciating your spouse can gradually reduce the unhappiness in a marriage. Even the littlest things count when it comes to fixing your marriage. You will start feeling the love flow in your marriage, and you will both feel happier. 

If you feel your marriage needs more work and attention, going on a marriage retreat can do wonders for your relationship. Texas Marriage Retreat offers a range of retreats, including Christian marriage retreats and intensive marriage counseling retreats to help you resolve issues and reconnect with one another.