Bringing playfulness into a relationship is an essential part of the relationship’s longevity and health. Relationships take work, and so does playfulness. It’s easy to put aside the little things in relationships because they’re not huge, more-pressing problems like money issues, a draining career, or children who are fighting. But what I’ve realized is that putting off playing in your relationship means you’re putting off something crucial to the health of your relationship. Small moments of play can have a huge impact on your love for one another, the ability to connect with each other, and ultimately your relationship as a whole. Here are 5 ways o bring playfulness back into the relationship
1. Go somewhere you haven’t been together before, like a museum or trampoline park.
Taking on a new adventure together can put you both in a headspace of openness. Just because you are an adult doesn’t mean you stop playing. This new adventure creates a perfect place for play. Schedule time to put down your phones and connect, laugh, hold hands, and just be with each other. Bringing playfulness back into a relationship requires you to let go of the stressors of your life and be present and enjoy your time together.
2. Laugh with each other, even when it’s at yourselves.
Laughter is a great way to be playful. Whether you are initially doing something silly or playing a silly game. It’s important to take time out of our schedules to do something lighthearted and laugh. Life doesn’t have to be so serious.
Example from my own life. My fiance and I were changing the filter and in the showerhead and when we turned on the shower water went everywhere. I mean it shot across the bathroom and hit me standing in the doorway. We get it tightened up and it stops leaking so we assume it’s all fixed. WRONG. While taking a shower the pressure just keeps getting lower and lower. I’m annoyed so I finish washing my hair in the sink. I come home from work and my fiance shows me the problem. We forgot to take the sticker off the filter! I unpackaged it and handed it to him to install. We both missed it. There was nothing we could do but laugh. There wasn’t a need to get upset with each other it was a silly mistake.
3. Be aware of when you should be serious, and when you can relax a little.
Bringing playfulness back into the relationship requires you to know your partner. Knowing what’s important to them and what are their no-go zones. No-go zones are the zones we do not joke about. This is the area of your partner’s life where things are sensitive for them. We don’t joke about these zones we take them seriously and approach them with empathy. A common no-go zone is family. Some people are very protective of their families and don’t receive jokes about them well. So you take that information and you don’t joke about them. If you love and respect your partner you will not joke about their no go zones.
4. Be spontaneous and do things out of the ordinary or unexpected.
Spontaneity breeds creativity which breeds playfulness. Life doesn’t always have to be structured.
- Get in the car together and go down some roads you’ve never been on.
- Try a new type of food you have never had before.
- Turn on some music and dance in your living room.
Spontaneity doesn’t have to be stressful or a big to do. It can be little moments.
5. Do things that get your heart rate up together – go dancing, try roller skating, run around in the park or just make out a lot.
Get your adrenaline pumping. Do the things you did when you were teenagers. Again just because you are an adult doesn’t mean the fun stops.
Bringing back playfulness into the relationship takes some intentionality. Maybe it requires actually scheduling it on the calendar. The important thing is to do it. Check-in with your partner after to see how they liked it. Be open to feedback and suggestions. The ability to laugh and play with your partner is vital for the health of your relationship.
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