Does your relationship need a workout? Does your relationship need a workout?
Alexis Naim
25 Sep 2019
They say the couple that trains together, stays together. But while you’re working hard on your glutes and abs, are you also working on your relationship?
Healthy, happy couples don’t happen by magic – they’re an incredibly inspiring and motivating testament to mindfulness, dedication and effort.
Becoming the healthy dream team you’ve always wished for begins with interest and curiosity in your partnership. Healthy, happy couples enjoy spending time together, communicate even in difficult situations, and grow together, not apart. Try these tips to fuel and maintain your relationship.
1. Give each other the gift of presence
It’s not so much about giving presents as being present. You’ve had ups and downs in the past, and you may be planning big things for your future together – but romanticizing what was and what could be can harm your relationship. Instead, regularly check in with your partner for an update on what is. If your partner asks you a question during a Netflix binge, hit pause and move away from the screen. When we are mindful and in the present moment, we are able to pay attention to what really matters.
2. Schedule in a date or two
When your car needs an oil change or your hair needs to be cut, you make an appointment, right? Do the same for your relationship. Compare schedules and book it in: a workout (very productive), a dinner date (no screens) or hiking that mountain you’ve both been talking about forever (finally!). Whatever you do, talk, bond, enjoy it – then look for the next gap in your schedule and lock in your next appointment.
3. Don’t sleep on it, meditate on it
It’s easy to snap at each other when you’re busy, tired and stressed. But reconnecting can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths together. Find five minutes where you’re both in the same space – it could be before you leave for work – and use that time to stop, breathe, and de-stress. Press play on a Centr meditation and you might just find yourselves back in sync.
4. You have to laugh
It’s no secret that life is stressful. When it all starts to feel like more than we can handle, we often shut down and turn away from our partner. Staying lighthearted in challenging situations is a way to stay close and remind each other that it’s not all bad. When you reel off all the things you love about your partner, “sense of humor” is at the top of the list, yes? As relationship expert and psychotherapist Esther Perel says: play and imagination are necessary for true intimacy. Let humor be your way in.
