DAILY POINTS OF CONTACT

 

 

This summer, we’re taking a break from our podcast to release 6 new blogs at Forever Marriage.  We’ve asked a handful of Lakewood’s pastors and their wives to share some of their best practices of how they Rekindle Romance in their marriages.  Then, this fall starting Thursday, August 1 we’ll launch Season 5 of the Forever Marriage Podcast on this very topic of Rekindle R.O.M.A.N.C.E.

 

We’ll kick the summer blog series off with one of our favorite practices we call Daily Points of Contact.  It’s a means by which we maintain the emotional and physical connection between us.  Yes, we always advocate for connecting with each other verbally each day, but there is something unique about connecting through touch. 

 

There has been a tremendous amount of research done on the importance of human touch on the development of children. However, we don’t outgrow our need for touch for our own healthy development. Dr. John Gottman, a well known relationship expert says this, “With a twenty second hug or a six second kiss, both individuals secrete oxytocin. That creates a sense of psychological safety, connection and bonding.” Safety, connection and bonding. Who doesn’t want that in a marriage??

 

A two year study was released in the 1980’s that stated that men who kiss their wives before leaving for work live on average 5 years longer than the men who didn’t kiss their wives before leaving for work. They also earned 20-35 percent more and used less sick time. The study seemed to indicate that the strong bond created by daily physical contact promotes emotional wellness and physical health, as well. 

 

With all of these benefits in mind, how can we incorporate more physical touch into our marriages?

 

It could look something like this:

1. A gentle hug and kiss in the morning
2. A warm hug and kiss when we arrive home from the day
3. Holding hands
4. Cuddling
5. Massage
6. Slow Dancing

 

Scott and I became intentional about this practice several years ago.  We have daily points of contact that have become habitual for us. We start and end our day with a hug and a kiss and we typically find ourselves holding hands when we are walking together. We found it to be an easy and effective way to keep our affections and attention centered on one another. We encourage couples to incorporate at least one point of contact, working your way into two points of contact daily and make it a habit. 

 

Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Investments of good in your marriage means a harvest of good is coming your way in due time… all for His glory!