Married couples can drift apart over time, both physically and emotionally. No one has a perfect spouse. But apparently, looking at their picture might improve our view of how close they come.
In a study, viewing pictures of a spouse increased attachment, infatuation, and marital satisfaction as compared with viewing other pictures that were pleasant or neutral.
Just looking at pictures of your spouse can make you feel more in love with them and more satisfied with your marriage.
This strategy is apparently being employed by working people around the world who keep family photos on their desks or social media users who use a photo of their spouse as an Avatar. Although it appears that it is actually looking at the photos that make the difference, the opportunity is there.
Someone who has their spouse’s photo saved as part of the contact on their phone will see a photo of their partner several times a day when they call, and couples who keep family photos displayed at home are also creating an environment that is reminding each other of the positive aspects of their marriage. Many couples want to have photos of their significant others where they can see them, probably unaware of the additional benefit.
Obviously, when it comes to saving a marriage on the rocks there is much more to the equation. And if a couple is far enough down the wrong road or in the heat of an argument, looking at a photo of the perceived offender may add fuel to the wrong type of fire.
In addition to using a visual cue as a reminder of the love you have for your spouse, there is no downside to also reflecting on the positive attributes your significant other brings to the table. Concentrating on the constructive character traits and behaviors of your partner instead of their faults and flaws can improve the mood, which in turn has the potential to improve your marriage.
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