Must-Know Relationship Hacks for Newlyweds

Barely ever any stuff geared towards newlyweds! But only 4 tips to a 40+ year marriage? MAN, I thought there'd be more than that. LOL.

I love this! Especially 3 & 4... thanks for sharing. I just bought the 5 Love Languages book and plan on reading it over the summer :-)

@rusticbride- LOL! I know, I thought that too! Still a great read tho!

@Emily H- I actually read the Love Language book for singles a few years ago, and I loved it! DH had never heard of it before, so when we first got engaged, he took the test, and determined what his are.

I'm not married yet, but we've been together for 8 years. Here's what we do to keep the relationship smooth.

FH and I have a little trick that we do when we're having one of those stupid, going around in circles arguments that's really about nothing. We'll hug it out. It sounds a bit counter productive, but seriously it is so hard to be mad at someone when you're hugging them. I'm not sure it's even physically possible. So we just hug until we don't feel mad anymore (usually just takes a minute or so). Also it's a bit silly, which helps.

We also very rarely yell (maybe 6 or 7 times in 8 years have we raised voices). I cannot stand being yelled at. I had a really volatile upbringing, and ended up in an abusive relationship for a couple years. Now, I don't react well at all to yelling (I either fly off the handle and get super nasty, or will get really upset). If we're mad to the point of raising our voices, we take a step back (I normally go for a walk or a drive), and we talk about it in an hour or two when we've calmed down.

We also still do a lot of little things for each other. Whoever leaves the house first in the morning kisses the other one and tucks them in, I leave little notes for FH, we go on dates, etc. Keeps the romance alive!

@Silan- That's some really great advice! My DH and I rarely argue, but when we do, we talk about it after we've calmed down. I find it easier to talk about what caused the argument after we have both calmed down, rather than let it stew for a few days.

Wow! I thought there'd be more than 4, too!

We've been together for over 7 years and the only thing I'd add is value the time you spend apart from your significant other. It's good to be 2 separate people in love, not just 1 clumpy person.

@Lady Monk- I agree! I know a few couples who are overly attached. I fear that they won't know how to cope if something happens to their significant other. It's totally OK to have alone time.

@Aleykit* thanks!

@LadyMonk I agree. Time apart is very valuable, both to maintain healthy friendships (no one likes the couple that constantly need to be together), and to miss your partner.