If your marriage is unfulfilling and your husband or wife is refusing to engage in a healthy way, then you need to take responsibility for its recovery and lead by example. If our marriages have been unhappy for some time, it’s likely that many of the things we already tried did not work, and it’s probably time that we try something new. As the old saying goes, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. It will become increasingly difficult for a lazy or mean-spirited spouse to dictate the terms of your marriage if you are physically, emotionally and spiritually fit. If you are consistently meeting their needs and they continue to dismiss yours, then I would argue you have a martial obligation to protest. In a healthy marriage each spouse keeps the other on their toes. You’re meant to inspire and support each other to grow and develop as individuals so that your union becomes a force stronger than the sum of its parts. You’re meant to be a team.…

A relationship contract is a written agreement in which you both have an opportunity to define boundaries, hopes, expectations and a shared vision for the future of your relationship. BOOK A SESSION ▶▶▶ https://laurahow.com/online-counselling/ Is your relationship on the right track? Is your it where you hoped it would be when you first started dating? Is the division of labour in your household fair? Is your spending under control? Are you able to discuss your needs with each other and feel heard when you do? Are you treating each other with love and respect on a daily basis, or have you slipped into resentment and apathy? Do you each commit to making meaningful changes where necessary? If you answered no to any of these questions, then you might find a relationship contract could help you make a fresh start as a couple.…

The socially acceptable addiction to news, entertainment and social media is contributing to the deterioration of our mental health, creativity, physical well-being and relational intimacy. BOOK A SESSION ▶▶▶ https://laurahow.com/online-counselling/ Putting our screens down isn’t going to be easy, they are obviously hugely addictive to us. But, if they’re a problem for you currently, you can make some simple steps in the right direction today. -Put your phone in the glove box when you arrive at the restaurant. -Leave it at home when you go for a walk. -Enforce a ‘no phones at the table’ or/and ‘no phones in the bedroom’ rule at home. -Turn off notifications. -Set App Time Limits. -Turn your phone off at the same time everyday and leave it off. -Notice when you unconsciously reach for your device and make a decision to leave it where it is. Use screens the way a moderate drinker might choose to use alcohol. Mindfully, in moderation and with an awareness that too much is bad for your health.…

Maintenance sex is the concept of having sex with a partner who you love, in order to strengthen the relationship and improve intimacy – even when you might not be in the mood for it yourself. It is something you are willing to do for the health of the relationship, to feel connected with and to care for your partner and it is a mutual decision made by both of you. It is an effective and hopefully temporary strategy for a couple to manage discrepancies in sexual desire which are perfectly natural and normal. It is a way to prioritise your partner and the relationship. It facilitates bonding, fosters intimacy and encourages open conversation. It should be enjoyable for both partners.…

The key to solving conflict problems in marriage lies in our capacity as a husband or wife to address them as a team. This requires commitment to truth and open communication. In a healthy marriage, each partner understands that the relationship needs to be discussed, and each person feels safe to bring their concerns to the other. In a healthy marriage no topic is off limits. Whether it’s time together, money, division of labour, sex or anything else; every area of your shared life should always be open for discussion. You both must be able to ask for what you need, listen with interest to what your partner needs and have tough conversations about difficult issues as often as needed. It doesn’t matter if it’s you that’s conflict avoidant or if it’s your partner. If your marriage falls short of these simple benchmarks, then YOU have work to do. BOOK A SESSION ▶▶▶ https://laurahow.com/online-counselling/…

I would say that libido is one of the key indicators of general female health and quality of life. If you are a woman and your sex drive is low and you want it to improve, then this video is for you. SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER ▶▶▶ https://laurahow.com/newsletter-signup/ Remember, your feminine libido is YOURS and it’s a beautiful and unique part of what makes you the woman you are. If it’s low or lost, then a part of you is low or lost and that’s not something to just accept if you truly want to live a full and rich life. It’s a feeling of aliveness and presence and it’s yearning for connection. It’s reaching out in life and pulling the right things towards you. It’s an openness and willingness to experience pleasure and it’s the motivation to give it back. It’s your mojo ladies, and sometimes you must make yourself a priority and do some work if you want to keep that side of yourself alive and kicking. Life with a health libido is better than a life without it. So, get to work ladies, you are worth the effort.…

If you’re stuck in an unhappy marriage with a spouse that doesn’t appear to care about you, and for whatever reason, you can’t or won’t leave then as far as I can see, you have two choices. SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER ▶▶▶ https://laurahow.com/newsletter-signup/ We are supposed to give our partners the best of ourselves, not the worst. Exceptional relationships are created by individuals that are radiating health and wellbeing. If your partner is dysfunctional in some way, then they are damaging to you and to your family if you have children. Addressing such issues successfully is part of a healthy marriage.…

Needing closeness with your partner and wanting them to meet reasonable emotional needs for you is not weakness or co-dependency, it’s attachment and it’s our shared nature. When our needs are consistently met by our partners, we feel secure, and our bonds grow stronger. Our nervous systems regulate, we're less stressed, and we experience better physical health and all-round wellbeing. On the other hand, when our needs are not met, our sense of security is damaged, we feel isolated, disconnected and anxious and our health will deteriorate if this is goes on. In case you're not quite sure what needs are reasonable, then here's a list of examples: Trust Commitment Affection Appreciation Empathy Friendship Satisfying Sex Compromise Respect Quality Time Kindness Generosity If any of those things are missing from your relationship then you have a right to ask for them.…

Withholding is an expression of conditional love, whereby the withholder refuses to provide their partner with an emotional or physical need unless certain conditions are met. Withholding examples: • Stonewalling or ‘The Silent Treatment.’ • Withholding sex or physical affection. • Refusing offers of physical affection. • Failing to celebrate your partners achievements. • Avoiding deep or meaningful conversations. • Withholding verbal expressions of love or affection. • Refusing to comfort your partner in times of need. If you recognise any of these behaviours in yourself, or in your partner then this podcast is for you.…

When a husband emotionally checks out of a marriage, it doesn’t take too long for it to unravel entirely or for it to become at best, platonic, bland, and functional. So why do so many good men emotionally detach from their wives? Is it due to a lack of care for their wives, or have they withdrawn over time because THEY don’t feel cared for? To help you work this out for your specific situation, I’ve put together a list of three common reasons husbands withdraw from their wives and what you, the wife, might be able to do to invite him to want to be closer and more present with you.…

Why exactly do so many women stop having sex with their husbands? Is it due to a lack of care for their men, or is it because they have withdrawn over time because THEY don’t feel cared for? To help you work this out for your specific situation, I’ve put together a list of common reasons wives stop wanting to have sex with their husbands. The more you can eliminate from this list the better, but one or more might apply to you. I encourage you to address them consistently over the coming months and see how your love life changes.…

Listening to your partners complaints about you isn’t always easy and can be quite stressful, so in this video I’m going to share some strategies that will help you deal with these interactions in a more healthy and constructive way.

This week I’m going to share with you 5 ways you could add more fulfilment to your life.

If you want to reduce anxiety and depression so that you can live to your fullest potential, you might need to consider clearing away the things that are holding you back. Good mental health is not achieved by magic. It comes as a result of good choices and good habits worked at over long periods of time. It is difficult to live badly and feel well. Here are five ways you can reduce anxiety and depression immediately.…

Are YOU a good partner? A good husband? A good wife? There seems to be a lot of talk about bad partners, but not so much about how to become GOOD or BETTER partners. I suspect, however, that if we thought more about whether WE are in fact good partners, our relationships would improve significantly. Set a positive example in YOUR relationship! Here is a list of 12 qualities a good partner or spouse should have. If all of these apply to you then congratulations, you are a good partner! If not, try to improve in a few areas for a month and watch how your relationship improves.…