Stressful events are inevitable. Fortunately, there are many benefits to tackling stressful events as a team.
Stress is an inevitable part of life. Finding ways to manage and reduce relationship stress in your life is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your relationship.
Stress in a relationship can cause a type of feedback loop. If I’m stressed, it makes Katie, my wife, stressed. If Katie is getting stressed, then it makes me even more stressed. And further down the hole we go.
Although your marriage can be a source of stress in your life, which is totally normal, it is also the best tool you have to reduce stress. These are some of the best ways you and your spouse can reduce stress together.
Sex, The Ultimate Stress Reducer
This one is pretty obvious, but it must be said. All your worries will just melt away once you have a toe curling orgasm. Make sure to go the extra step and really take the time to make the evening special.
Don’t just go for a quickie, although that is also a great stress reducer! Light some candles, put on something sexy and break out the massage oil. Let all your worries go for the night and just focus on each other.
Check our Couples Challenge on planning an intimate date night to help you have a relaxing and sexy evening.
Go For a Little Road Trip
Sometimes we just want to drop everything and run away, unfortunately that’s easier said than done. Instead just take a mini escape from reality.
Pick a point on the map, pack a lunch, and head out on the open road. Don’t think or talk about work, or the bills, or the event you're planning. Simply enjoy the sights and sounds, you can worry about all that when you return.
Reduce Relationship Stress With a Good Cuddle
Maybe you had a long stressful day at work and you don’t have the energy to sex out the stress. A good, comfy, warm cuddle can do wonders. Truly! Touch releases the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin, also known as the "cuddle hormone." Oxytocin reinforces the feelings of trust, devotion and bonding.
Lie in bed and hold each other. Light some candles, put on a soothing playlist, and get under the covers together. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that. Enjoy the quiet moment.
Exercise The Stress Away
Another great way to release all that anger is to get a workout in. Pump some iron, go for a long jog or bike ride, or do 200 push ups—or a challenging amount, don't hurt yourself.
It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you’re getting your heart rate up you’ll be releasing a lot of that pent up anxiety and stress. Working out releases endorphin’s, which is the body’s way of naturally making you feel happy. Yes, a "runner's high" is a real thing and is similar to neurotransmissions acquired through a hit of morphine—without the addictive side effects.
As a cool down, take a nice long hot shower together and let those muscles relax. Wrap up with a nice massage to complete the evening.
Sooth Your Soul With Some Yoga
If working the anger out in a rage of exercise isn’t your thing then try doing some calming yoga instead.
A good 20-30 min session of stretching and breathing will clear your head right up. Yoga also has the added the benefit of being sexy too. My spouse and I have started plenty of yoga sessions that ended in a pile of tangled body parts on the floor.
If you’re unsure of how to properly do yoga there are tons of great videos on YouTube to guide you, and it’s not very hard to find yoga classes near by either.
Don’t worry about getting every move right. Laugh when you fall over or just skip a move to stare at your partner’s impressive flexibility.
Get It Off Your Chest
I tend to keep my feelings to myself, like many men. Even the most stoic of people need to vent every once in awhile. Reduce stress by just getting it off your chest and talking about it.
This can be tricky because the source of stress could be your relationship, which is an even better reason to get it all out in the open. The key here is to actively listen to each other.
Take Some Time To Yourself
A major cause of stress in everyone’s life is the preoccupation with everyone else. Trying to get a project done for your boss. Making sure you see your parents. Finding time to go out with your friends. Parenting. And of course, making sure your spouse is happy. This can really start to weigh us down.
Take time to do something for yourself. Go for a walk or go to the spa. Dive into a good book.
Don’t Let Stress Take Over Your Relationship
Stress in a marriage is a very serious issue and should be tackled immediately. Reduce relationship stress and focus on making each other happy and relaxed. Remember, your spouse and your marriage are the best tools you have to reducing stress in your life.
Chris is a geek that loves to cook, travel, and dream big. He brings the male point of view to LoveTripping. Chris believes there are no passengers on a LoveTrip, everyone has to take the wheel sometimes. He wants couples to take charge of their LoveTrip with teamwork, an open mind, and a level headed approach to conflicts.
