Welcome to our Marriage War and Peace blog for June!

Amidst life’s daily hustle, it’s all too common for couples to get bogged down in the nitty-gritty of partnership—who’s grabbing the groceries, which bills need settling, whose turn it is to tackle the dishes.

Over time, if we’re not careful, we can begin to relate more like roommates than lovers or teammates. But peace in a relationship isn’t just about resolving conflict or communicating better—it’s also about intentionally making space to relax and be together.

Relaxation doesn’t have to be a solo practice.

In fact, learning to unwind side-by-side can deepen connection, build trust, and remind you why you chose each other in the first place.

Whether it's sitting in shared silence, cooking dinner with music playing in the background, or holding hands during a slow walk, these moments of shared relaxation can help you transition from the ‘doing mode’ of daily life to the ‘being mode' of your relationship. It's in these moments that you truly connect with each other.

In this month’s article, we’ll focus on:

· Our Simple Ritual of Slowing Down

· Mindful Marriage Moments: 6 ways to relax and reconnect

· How to Be an Adult in Relationships

Our Simple Ritual of Slowing Down

Like many couples, my husband and I lead busy lives. We're constantly juggling work, parenting, home life, and running service-based businesses. The days can often feel like a blur of nonstop demands. But amidst this chaos, we’ve found a simple yet profoundly rewarding practice—slowing down and relaxing together.

For us, winding down in each other’s presence has become an act of shared self-care. It’s not about doing the same thing but about being near one another while tending to our individual needs.

Most evenings, after I’ve taken our pups, William and Mary, out for their last walk of the day, my husband finishes his work so we can begin our nighttime rhythm together.

We start by turning down the house. I light a stick of Nag Champa or burn sage—the earthy scent signals it’s time to slow down and soften. It’s our invitation to move from activity to stillness. Then, we settle into our favorite spots, ready to unwind and connect.

He often cues up a nature documentary while I curl up with a journal or a book. Sometimes, we exchange highlights from our day—the funniest moment, the strangest client request, or something that caught us completely off guard. It’s low-effort, low-pressure, and deeply connecting.

Weekends bring longer mornings in pajamas, slow breakfasts, and no rush to be anywhere. Just being together, comfortably and intentionally, brings us a profound sense of peace. It's in these moments that we truly appreciate the beauty of togetherness.

These small, daily rituals have become the quiet glue in our relationship—a gentle way of saying, “I see you. I choose you. Let’s rest here together.”

Relax together with these simple activities for reconnecting couples. I encourage you to try these rituals and see how they can bring you closer and bring more peace and joy into your lives.

Mindful Marriage Moments: 6 Ways to Relax and Reconnect

Relaxing as a couple isn’t about doing more—it’s about being more present with each other. These simple, meaningful practices are designed to help you slow down, tune in, and strengthen your bond through shared calm and connection.

1. Evening Wind-Down Ritual Instead of collapsing in front of the TV, try lighting a candle, making tea, and taking 10 minutes to share about your day. Keep it low-pressure, and let the ritual signal a soft landing at the end of the day.

2. Mindful Mornings Start your weekend with a shared meditation, a walk in nature, or simply enjoying breakfast in bed. Beginning the day with presence creates a tone of calm connection for everything that follows.

3. Cozy At-Home Date Nights Unplug, order in your favorite meal, and curl up under a blanket with a movie, a board game, or a shared journal. The point isn’t productivity—it’s togetherness.

4. Partner Stretching or Yoga Gentle movement like stretching or restorative yoga can be deeply bonding. Try a YouTube video or take a couples yoga class. Physical closeness plus breath awareness equals instant calm.

5. Cooking Without the Rush Choose a recipe you’ve never made, put on music, and cook together without a deadline.

Let it be fun, even if it’s messy. The goal is connection, not culinary perfection.

6. Tech-Free Quiet Time Set aside 20 minutes once or twice a week to sit quietly together—no phones, no TV, just presence. You can read, journal, or even rest side by side. Peace often returns when we stop trying to fill every silence.

Relaxing together is an underrated form of intimacy. It builds safety, steadies the nervous system, and allows you both to breathe deeper—in each other’s company. This June, challenge yourselves to slow down, tune in, and rediscover the joy of simply being together.

Helpful Resources

How to Be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving by David Richo. “Most people think of love as a feeling,” says Richo, “but love is not so much a feeling as a way of being present.” How to Be an Adult in Relationships explores five hallmarks of mindful loving and how they play a key role in our relationships. Brimming with practical exercises for couples, Richo’s book offers heartening insights into a lifelong journey of love.

Share Your Insights What are your favorite ways to unwind as a couple? Please share your ideas in the comments, and let’s inspire each other to find peace in our partnership.