by Stephanie Chambers
Self Care Strategies for Couples to Strengthen Bonds
A relationship is like a garden. It needs to be given tender love and attention on a regular basis in order to thrive. Self-care for couples is the act of doing things that will enhance your relationship with each other. For example, a long walk together in nature. This not only gives you quality time together but the rejuvenating aspect of being amongst trees and nature helps you feel more relaxed. The flow on effect of this can often be more relaxed conversations.
Communicating Effectively as a Couple
How you communicate as a couple is crucial. So on act of self-care can be giving each other time to fully express what is on your mind. Sometimes making time once a week to allow each other at least five (ideally ten) minutes of uninterrupted time to say whatever you are thinking about in terms of your life or the relationship, can really help. And after each person has the floor and speaks their mind / heart, it is also good practice to try and repeat back to them a summary of what they said. This will show you were fully listening. It also allows for clarification.
Activities to Practice Together
Some other activities that can be powerful acts of self-care:
- massaging each other
- do couples yoga
- cooking a special meal for each other
- cooking something together (even if you have to watch a video to walk you through it)
- letting each other take turns picking a destination to explore (it could just be another town nearby).
Activities like massage can often lead to intimacy or to discussions about intimacy. Massage also helps to relieve both individual tension but it can also relieve tension in the relationship as well.
Creating a Continuous Self-Care Routine
You have probably heard of people doing date night. Sometimes they even have another regular date to talk about finances. The main thing is to set up a routine. It doesn’t have to involve a lot of time. It can just be a three minute shoulder rub (six minutes for both of you to give and receive).
Whatever you do, doing something regularly that nourishes the relationship is a positive step. So what will you both do? If you need help, schedule a session with Dr Scott Terry to discuss it.