Consider the amount of time, money, and energy that couples invest in “getting” married. Now consider how much of an investment people put into “being” married. The difference can be stark. The average wedding costs $20,000 and couples are given an average of 200 wedding gifts that are valued at $70 to $100. Not to […]

Laurie Mintz, Ph.D. explains the difference between being selfish and self-care. Being selfish takes away from others. Self-care improves your ability to give to others. She points out that if you are not happy, you can not make others happy. Taking time to calm down and be centered may make you 30 minutes later getting

If your sexual desire has waned after years of marriage, it may be time to look at underlying factors that could be causing problems in the bedroom. Variations in libido are normal. A sudden, drastic drop, however, is something that may have psychological and/or physiological roots that should be addressed. Psychological factors can range from

Sharon Rivkin, on the website Hitchedmag.com, has seven ideas to help you avoid boredom in your marriage:  1.) Stay interested in life and in your own personal growth. 2.) Remember the purpose of your life. 3.) Stay connected with your spouse while giving each other the space for other pursuits. 4.) Follow your passions and

Sometimes worrying can be helpful; sometimes it can be disastrous. When we see a yellow light and worry about stopping for a traffic signal, we are motivated to put a plan into action, braking, and we are benefitted by our worry. We are not injured in an accident. If, after passing safely through the intersection,

College students, military personnel, and dual-career couples may all be required to endure separations for a few days or a few months. In spite of cliché wisdom, absence may not make the heart grow fonder. Adult attachment styles greatly affect these relationships. Studies show, as one might suspect, that people with anxious attachment styles are

Quickies are, of necessity, the way most people have sex in spite of new age movements toward taking more time. Men are more likely to be satisfied by these caveman proceedings but, with a little work, the quickie can be a way to spice up your relationship and, believe it or not, may be satisfying

Marriage Education (M.E.) is taught in classes, workshops, and during weekend retreats. M.E. is based on research and designed to develop skills in communication and conflict resolution. Every couple comes to M.E. classes with different agendas. Some argue all the time. Some are bored and looking to put the spark back in their relationship. Others

Do you argue with you spouse over the mess in the kitchen? If you do, then you should learn to negotiate your way out of the situation. Otherwise, this argument or others are likely to continue without satisfactory solutions. Any area of disagreement should be open to conversation. First, explain your feelings without making your

Samantha Joel, who has an “M.A. in Dating Decisions,” shares some pointers about getting over a partner after a breakup. First of all, a romantic partner generally may be classified as a primary attachment figure. You depended on this person for validation and support. They are likely to be the one with whom you would