When it truly comes down to it, marriage requires a lot of work.

This isn’t because it is a difficult thing to maintain, as loving someone can be rather easy, but because a strong marriage requires the desire of two people to outlast and outstrip all of the difficult times and negative experiences you will have as a couple.

When you experience rough times, the emotional stress and mental fortitude required to get through can be exhausting, which can lead you to put your marriage on the back burner.

When you let your marriage fall to the wayside, whether that be because you are busy pursuing your career, you are too stressed at the end of the day, or you are so busy with your kids that you don’t have time for your partner, the passion you previously felt will disappear and learning how to bring back the passion is a difficult process.

Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way as you can bring passion back. Here are a few ways to get you started.

Step One: Start Listening to Each Other Without Corrections

Take a moment to remember the beginning of your relationship and reflect on whether you always tried to correct your spouse when they said something that wasn’t quite up to your liking or didn’t act in a certain way.

You more than likely didn’t correct them and the sheer thought of doing so would be horrifying. After all, you are just trying to get to know someone which includes being fascinated with how they walk, act, and talk.

Rather, you would take in what they were saying or doing and try to understand where they were coming from or why they were doing or saying a particular thing.

You can rekindle love in your marriage by choosing to listen and understand without correcting your partner. When you consistently correct them, you put down their beliefs and their actions which ends up building resentment.

Keep in mind that just because you have specific expectations doesn’t mean they have to adhere to them. When you choose to listen and understand rather than correct and criticize, you create a safe place which can foster trust and connection.

Step Two: Fantasize About Your Life

One of the more prevalent behaviors that crop up at the beginning of a relationship is the fantasies of your future life with said partner. You may spend hours thinking about what could happen tomorrow, or what your house and kids would look like.

Rekindle your marriage by jumping back into this type of behavior by visualizing yourself doing all of the things you used to fantasize about with your partner.

Then reintroduce that thought pattern to your spouse, just by letting them know what you are thinking about and why.

You could also remind them about all of the fantasies you used to have, this may make them feel connected to you or excited.

Step Three: Get The Adrenaline and Playful Behavior Out

When you choose to participate in activities that cause your adrenaline to pump, it simulates the same passionate stage that you had at the beginning of your relationship. Not only does it help you connect more because you are going to reach out to one another but you will come out viewing the other person in a whole new light.

If you’ve both really enjoyed the activity, you will feel encouraged to do it again which can lead to a rekindling of love.

Another way of doing this is to break out playtime. This can be anything from playing sports together, to playing games, to getting out and doing hobbies that you both enjoy like hiking, camping, or bird watching.

There is a strong correlation between having fun and marital happiness, and it’s because it helps take your mind off of responsibilities. Plus, it’s a great way to relieve stress!

Step Four: Make Your Marriage A Safe Place

We tend to value marriage as a way to be safe. When we have a partner that allows us to live our lives the way we want and to be ourselves without fear of judgment, we can feel heard and respected.

However, when a marriage loses its passion, it won’t feel like a safe place where you can tell your truths and be who you are and this is what leads to guarded secrets and secretive behavior.

In order to rekindle the marriage, you will have to create a safe environment where there is a respect for your significant other that involves transparent communication and a priority on honesty.

Step Five: Turn Up The Sexual Chemistry

One of the easier ways to rekindle the romance in your marriage is through the initiation of intimacy. Scientists know that physical or warm touch has an impact on the bond that two people feel towards one another.

According to a study done and published in the Psychosomatic Medicine Journal, oxytocin is released when warm touch is initiated. This bonding hormone has a protective and positive effect on multiple stress-sensitive systems, including your sympathetic nervous system.

Ideas to rekindle a marriage through sexual chemistry include allowing tension to build, holding hands more often, initiating sex in unique patterns (getting away from old routine), being emotional during sex, and carving out time with your partner.

Another way to do this is to listen to what the other person wants and needs and then deliver on this in the bedroom!

Summary: It’s All About Learning and Listening

The key thing to remember is that when you choose to rekindle the passion in your marriage, you have to do it through learning and listening methods.

If you choose to remain critical and focused on the negatives that are wrong, instead of your personal learning journey, you won’t end up getting very far.

Instead, focus on giving your partner compliments, discussing your dreams and hopes, and scheduling time just for you and your spouse. If you can do this while listening and understanding them, you will have a much higher chance of rekindling your marriage and the passion you used to have.

Author's Bio: 

C Mellie Smith specializes in providing her readers with tips, tools and resources to help them survive infidelity and rebuild a strong marriage. With her expertise and studies, she hopes to help others rise from their struggles even stronger than before. Visit her website: http://infidelityhealing.com/ for more information.