4 Reasons Why Self-Development & Self-Care Makes Your Marriage Stronger

The fact that you and your spouse are on the same page about money, kids, and sex is nice, but it’s not enough to build a strong, healthy relationship. If you want to have a deeper, more meaningful connection with each other and grow together as people and as a couple, then you have to devote time to self-development and self-care. 

The benefits of these practices will positively affect your marriage in the following four ways.

1.    Focus on yourself

In a world where everyone is constantly trying to take and give, it’s easy to forget that relationships are a two-way street. Remembering to put yourself first isn’t just necessary for healthy self-care; it can make you a better partner in your relationship as well. Love is about putting someone else before yourself, but sometimes in order for love to thrive, you have to start by loving yourself first.

There are many benefits of taking self-care within a marriage. Perhaps some benefits might apply to you as well, but these are the things I find work best in my marriage:

    A perfect example for your children to witness.

    When you take care of yourself you will be a happier person and so you’ll bring more to your relationships, your family, and your friends.

    A time of solitude strengthens the bond between the person and their partner.

    The retreats do a lot to keep passion alive in the marriage.

    Pursuing one’s own personal fulfillment is beneficial to one’s self-esteem.

    Having more free time makes for a less-stressful relationship.

2.    Focus on improving your relationship

If you’re looking to strengthen your marriage, research has shown that improving yourself—through self-development and self-care—can lead to a more stable relationship. By committing to becoming a better version of yourself, you’re also helping your partner feel loved and supported. 

3.    Start a daily routine

Establishing a daily routine gives you a sense of consistency that can improve both your mental and physical well-being. Having a routine can be helpful at any time, and, for many, this includes the beginnings of a healthy life, particularly when some aspects of their lives may feel out of their control. In a romantic partnership, it can be tempting to put other people first and neglect yourself, but putting self-care routine and self-development as a priority will help maintain healthy relationships now and in the future. 

4.    Add an element of fun

Studies show that people who incorporate an element of play into their marriage are happier. Whether it’s going to a movie or cooking at home, setting aside time for fun is vital to any relationship. Self-care is important to ensure you have energy to devote to your spouse and family, and self-development allows you to grow as a person; both will make your marriage stronger.

Conclusion

If you want your marriage to be strong, then you need to invest time into developing yourself so that you can be an even better partner. If your marriage needs help or if it’s already on shaky ground, consider taking a step back from all of life’s distractions and focus on improving yourself. The investment will pay off—not only in terms of your marriage, but also in every other area of your life. After all, what good is a great relationship if you aren’t around to enjoy it?

If you found this helpful, please share it with someone who could benefit from understanding the connection between self-development, self-care, and a strong marriage.