5-Minute Marriage Boosters

Let’s get real honest. Marriage is hard work. Theme music does not play when your husband walks in the door from work, and a photomontage of all your good times doesn’t roll as he saunters towards you in the kitchen. That’s the stuff of movies.

He probably walks in and says, “The trash stinks. What’s for dinner?” Don’t despair. There is hope. You can enhance your marriage in as little as five minutes. (I’m starting to sound like an infomercial now.)

I’m sure you can think of more, but here are five 5-minute marriage boosters to get you going.

1. Text message
In our fast-paced technological society, there’s no excuse for not sending a quick text during the day. Send a short text of encouragement to your spouse during the day, or maybe just say, “Thinking of u.” The message may be short in words but is big in meaning. Just a few pecks of the keyboard can let your spouse know they are important and you think of them while you are apart. Don’t have texting? Try a sharpie and a sticky note pad.

2. Ask like you mean it.
“Did you have a good day?” It’s a question we often toss out without waiting for the answer. Kind of like throwing a quick “How’ru doin’?” as you walk past an acquaintance in the store but not pausing for a response. If you really want to make your sweetheart know that you care, sit down in front of them, look into their eyes and ask deliberately, “Did you have a good day?” Then pause for their answer.

The information exchange between husband and wife is more necessary than you think. When talking to a friend struggling in her marriage, she shared, “He doesn’t tell me anything. I want to know what he did all day and how he feels about it.” As you are listening to your significant other share, thank God they are sharing with you.

3. Back/foot rub
After a long day at the office or a never-ending day at home with the kids, a back or foot rub can help relieve stress. Offer to give your spouse’s choice of either. Five minutes of rubbing will have your partner melting in your arms. Hopefully, they’ll offer to give you one, too.

4. Tiny gesture
Each night before bed, I wash my face and brush my teeth. On the nights my husband gets to the bathroom first, he gets out a washcloth and places it by my sink. It’s a little gesture that lets me know not only that he cares but he pays attention to my routine, as well. Look for small ways you can show your spouse you care. Perhaps offer to bring them a snack and drink while you are watching your favorite television show. Maybe you can refill their water glass during dinner before they get up to do it themselves.

5. Random “I love you”
Never underestimate the heart melting power of a well-placed, “I love you.” While you may share it before hanging up the phone during the day, do you randomly say it face to face? Don’t just choose to say it when one of you is walking out the door. Pick a random moment. Stop your other half, look him or her in the eyes and utter those three magic words. Then you might want to seal it with a kiss.

 

Want your marriage to move from good to great? What are you waiting for? You’ve got five minutes. The clock is ticking!

Do you have some tips for couples to enhance their marriage in five minutes or less? I’d love to hear about them. Leave a comment if you want to share. Email readers, you can leave one, too. Just click HERE.