Refresh Your Relationship this Summer!
Sometimes our relationships can become stagnant. It’s
time to reignite the flame and restore the passion that you and
your partner deserve.
·
Being social… look for healthy couples to
hang out with. Summer is the time for BBQ’s, pool parties, camping, picnics in
the park, and going to the beach. Socializing with other couples will bring
about new adventures to add to your list.
·
Priority… make your partner feel special.
Let them know that your relationship is at the top of your priority list.
Brainstorm different ways that you can show them daily.
·
Communication… learn to be an effective
communicator. Being a good communicator means being a good listener. Most
couples listen with the intent to reply, instead, listen with the intent to
understand.
·
Play nice… it’s not always going to be fun
and games. There will be times that you and your partner don’t get along. Watch
your tone. No name-calling, no degrading, and no blaming. Before you speak, ask yourself, “is this
helping or hurting the relationship?” And, if you slip up, don’t forget to
apologize.
·
Helping others... volunteering at a Church,
soup kitchen, women’s shelter, animal shelter, Red Cross, or nursing home is a
great way to give back to the community and will leave you and your partner
with a sense of accomplishment.
·
Be spontaneous… routines are great;
however, it can make a relationship feel monotonous. Break up the routine from
time to time to make things more exciting.
·
Respect and accept lovingly… learn to
accept your partner for the things that you like and don’t like. Respect each
other’s differences. Allow your partner
to be themselves. If we mold our partner to be what we wish they were, then we
only love the reflection of ourselves.
·
Take a time-out… everyone needs alone time.
Take a personal day and enjoy being with yourself. Go for a walk, have a spa
day, hit some balls on the golf course etc.
·
Surprises… they don’t have to be elaborate,
just something to let your partner know that you are thinking of them. Maybe a
card to let your partner know how much you appreciate them, a smiley face
balloon to brighten a tough day at work, a bouquet of seasonal flowers, or a
gourmet box of chocolates to share while watching a romantic movie. Surprises can also come in other forms
–straightening up the garage or cleaning up the kitchen can be a great gift.
·
Intimacy… as a couple’s counselor, I hear
more times than not that, “we just don’t have time” or, “we are so tired at the
end of the day.” Intimacy not only means physical affection, it also means
emotional affection. Take time to talk to your partner about your emotional and
physical needs. Discuss how you can improve in these areas and follow-through. J
·
Household duties… make a list of what you
are responsible for and what your partner is responsible for in the home. Is it
equal? Evenly distributed chores could equal more intimacy. Remember how I said that I hear couples say, “I
am just too tired at the end of the day.”J
·
Experience something new… with social media;
there is so much exposure to new and exciting things. Visit Pinterest and see
what excites you! Maybe redo a room
together or learn how to make sushi this Friday night.J
·
Spending quality time together… Between
work, household chores, and shuttling the children, it is sometimes hard to
give each other undivided attention. Schedule some uninterrupted time for the
two of you on the family calendar.
Here are some activities that might spark your
interest!
White
water rafting Cooking
class Geocaching Learn
a new language Go
for a swim Rock
climb at the gym Photography Breakfast
in bed Kayaking Plant
a tree to symbolize the relationship Take
an art class Fondue
date night Stargaze
– enjoy a cold drink on the patio and look at the stars Meditate Go
bird watching Plant
an herb garden Take
a mini road trip See
a local play Horseback
ride Bowling Buy
art supplies and paint a picture of each other Dinner
and a movie with a theme – rent “The Three Amigos” and eat Mexican food Aquarium Zoo Circus Rodeo
Go-carts Mini
golf Sailing Bubble
bath for two Hiking Bike
ride Poetry
class Paddle
boarding Yoga Tube
a local river Jet
ski Go
to an art gallery Learn
how to play an instrument Make
a 4 course meal together Give
each other massages Search
restaurants in your area and find a new one that you haven’t been to Relax
by the fireplace and roast marshmallows Learn
to dance Science
Center Sign
up for a race: Mud Run or Color Run Help
out with a charity Go
roller skating Fulfill
your bucket list Pottery
class Meet
your neighbors Homemade
pizza night Go
to a bed and breakfast Go
to a comedy show Rent
mopeds and travel around town Have
a 5 course dinner at different restaurants…. Truth
or Dare Take
a surf lesson Plan
a new tradition Zip
lining Go
to the gourmet section and pick out a new coffee to enjoy in the morning Make
candy or bake a cake Museum Go
to the arcade Candlelight
dinner at home Make
a list of 5 things that you love about your partner /exchange lists Camp
out in the living room You
plan half of the evening and your partner plan the other half Host
a dinner party Hot
tub Wake
up early and watch the sunrise Board
game night Waterpark Browse
the bookstore and pick out a book for each other Plan
a vacation for a year from now Watch
a local band Go
to a sporting event Flea
market Frisbee Tennis Puzzle Watch
the sunset Parade
of homes Karaoke Paint
a room in your house Change
the furniture around Spend
the day browsing the shops Antiquing Watch
a local band Go
golfing Collect
seashells Reenact
your first date Go
to a local farm and pick fruit Ice
skating Talk
about dreams for the future Take
the dog to the dog park Beach
volleyball Detail
the cars Have
brunch this weekend Enjoy
a new cuisine – Vietnamese, German, Italian, French Dodge
ball
Regina Bright, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Board Certified Sex Therapist
Clinical Supervisor
Parent Coordinator
Florida Supreme Court Family
Mediator
Stepping Stones Professional
Counseling
151 Mary Esther Blvd. Suite 310 A.
Mary Esther, Fl 32569
850-226-6430
Fax: 850-254-1986
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