Marriage overwhelmingly impacts your health, wealth, and happiness.
Good ones even help you live longer.
Here are 7 books to take your relationship to the next level:
5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
A simple framework for understanding how you and your partner feel loved – giving you both a language for expressing your needs.
“Physical touch, verbal affirmation, gift-giving, acts of service, and quality time.”
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman, Ph.D.
Gottman has developed a system for predicting whether a couple will stay together with 91% accuracy.
“People who stay [happily] married live four to eight years longer than people who don’t.”
Couple Skills by McKay, Fanning, and Paleg
Includes a very creative “problem chart” for identifying where to begin work on your relationship.
“Real listening is distinguished by your intention. If your intention is to understand, enjoy, learn from, or help your partner, then you are really listening”
Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, Switzler
Defines “crucial conversations” as a discussion between two or more people where (1) stakes are high, (2) opinions vary, and (3) emotions run strong.
“The conversation is not about what you think it’s about. It’s not about the content. It’s not about the issue. It’s not about the disagreement. It’s about the relationship.”
Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
Explores ways that couples cross over from a healthy partnership to an unhealthy dependence – and how to reclaim interdependence.
“Too much dependency on a person can kill love”
The Art of Money by Bari Tessler
We all have a relationship with money that our partners need to be aware of. Tessler offers a compassionate framework for uncovering and sharing the story of that relationship.
“Your financial identity is fluid and subjective. Update it anytime you like.”
Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott
Includes 7 principles for more honest conversations.
“The conversation is the relationship.”
“…marriages derail because people don’t say what they are really thinking.”
