Silver and Gold Magazine Winter 2015 | Page 24

silvergoldmagazine.ca WELL-BEING KEEP PASSION ALIVE – By Mark Tharme Ten Proven Ways to Maintaining a Strong Emotional Relationship Just because you’ve been in a relationship for many years, doesn’t mean you can afford to become complacent. Mature couples benefit from making an effort to keep their relationship healthy, happy and mutually rewarding, and it really is worth the effort. The rewards are many and varied. In retirement most couples spend even more time together than during their working years. When this quality time is spent with your best friend and soul mate, it becomes something you can truly look forward to. According to Statistics Canada, “grey divorce” has been steadily growing among those 55 and over, with rates expected to increase as more people continue to age. Mature couples that commit to making their relationship great, for themselves and each other, experience a higher level of overall satisfaction and improved quality of life. If you’re willing to put in the work, these tips can help you take your love to a new level. Here’s ten things you can do to keep your flame burning bright: 1. Make time to talk (and listen too). Communication is an essential part of every successful relationship. Check in with each other on a regular basis, and make it personal. Practice “active listening”. When you ask “How was your day?” make eye contact with your partner, listen carefully, and don’t try to rush on to the next subject. In addition to small talk, couples can also spend time discussing goals, dreams, ways to deal with problems, and planning for the future together. 2. Keep things interesting. Having a regular “Date Night” is great, but don’t always go to the movies or the same restaurant. Try getting out of a routine: Go dancing, take a class together, go for a hike or have a picnic. It’s important to have common interests other than your love for each other. At first, passion may be enough to keep your love going, but once your relationship matures, it’s important to share common interests or activities so that your relationship stays fresh. Share a hobby, whether you bake desserts every Sunday, or find a TV show that no one likes but you two. And make time for fun for fun’s sake. Not everything you do as a couple has to make you more interesting or talented. Couples that cook together, stay together! nt other Ever tried challenging your significa llenge”? Cha king Coo ed opp (and friends) to a “Ch worldwide ul essf succ This new cooking game is proving ‘surprise’ five buy You ds: frien of among couples and groups ethi up with som ng edible ingredients and they have to come t! Make it as simple or to cook with them. With a time limi time spent together! the challenging as you want. Enjoy 24 Connect with us on Facebook! CLICK HERE 3. Consider putting intimacy on the calendar. It’s great to be spontaneous but busy couples can find it challenging to both be in the mood at the same time. When this happens try setting aside time for intimacy to make sure that your needs are being met. The anticipation can also be fun. 4. Try role-playing. Role-playing doesn’t have to mean being kinky! Try pretending that you just met. This will get you asking the kind of questions that you enjoyed when you were still getting to know each other. The answers might surprise you. You may get reminded about just how interesting your partner really is.