Could the secret to a happy marriage lie in having multiple partners? We often believe that monogamy is ultimately right for marriage, but studies show that it could often not be the case. The numbers of broken marriage due to infidelity is on the rise, but a big question lies in whether love and happiness had anything to do with it.
What is an open relationship?
An open relationship is a form of a non-monogamous relationship where one or both parties choose to be together, but agree on having a romantic or sexual relationship with another person. This is fairly common among young couples but married couples are also beginning to venture into it.
A recent study showed that monogamy may not truly be the key to a happy marriage.
Researchers reported that men are in open relationships to accommodate their intimacy needs as well as their desires for sexual diversity, and the often felt more intimate with their partner when they agreed to be non-monogamous. Monogamy can provide couples with a sense of support and protection, consensual non-monogamy offers emotional support of a partnership, while permitting exploration of other sexual relationships. (Source)
What about jealousy?
David Baraash, professor of psychology at the University of Washington says that having an open relationship can work really well for some people, but it as humans, we are also inclined to be sexually jealous of a partner being with someone else. While a little jealousy can be healthy, open relationships are not for everyone. (Source)
Fortunately, if you’re not into an open relationship, you can still have a get your partner excited about each other with these three principles inspired by open relationships.
Be Adventurous
Whether it’s trying something new in bed, or taking an interest in your partner’s hobbies, relationships are all about sharing new experiences together. Expand your mind and definitely try something new.
Excite Him
Be the individual you were before you got into the relationship. Remember the first few dates you had with each other and you spend hours on picking the right dress? Well, keeping the marriage alive requires a little bit of that. When moulding yourself to suit your parter, don’t give up the aspects that makes you you. He fell in love with you for those reasons in the first place, right?
Trust Him
Restricting your husband from going out with the people he choses could lead to him resenting you, and he may end up do things behind your back. Even if he’s not cheating on you, you’d still feel hurt if he went out with a group of gal pals, right? He would also feel the same way too, so be honest with each other, and it should all work out well.
