As hard as it is to understand, couples still play games with each other after they’re married. To be blunt, this game playing is hazardous to the health of the marriage relationship and should be avoided at all costs. There simply is no place for it in a happy marriage.

Aha! Maybe that’s the point. If you or your spouse are always playing games, then it could be taken as a sign that your marriage isn’t as happy as it could be. Or, perhaps the situation is worse and your marriage is in real trouble. Even if it is humming along nicely, the very fact that mind games are being played means there is room for improvement.

Of course we are talking about mind games up to this point. This may be referred to as manipulation, deceit, laying guilt trips or otherwise being dishonest about what’s really going on. however, there are other types of marriage games that you can play. What we are talking about here are more purposeful games that both of you play together. There isn’t anything sneaky about them, and they are designed to help strengthen your relationship.

“Why I love you.” This game is just like it sounds. You look each other in the eye, then each spouse takes turns mentioning one reason why they love the other one. The first few times you play this it may be difficult to name more than a few things, that’s okay. You both have to agree to not take the game personally f the other one is having a hard time. The more you play, the more fun you will have.

“What you mean to me.” This game is played the same as the “Why I love you” game, but you each take turns saying what you mean to the other. Just imagine how much better you will make each other feel as you get better at rattling off your lists of why you love and appreciate each other.

“Silence is golden.” They say the vast majority of our communication is non-verbal. You can put this to the test and work on having a better relationship at the same time. Go for a preset amount of time where you will agree to talk to each other without using any words. If possible, try doing it for an entire day. Also, choose a block of time where you will be together for most of it, otherwise it won’t have the same effect. You may be amazed at just how much you can say without using any words at all.

While there are some games you shouldn’t play when you are married (like mind games), there are marriage games that will help you grow closer as a couple. The three games above are a good start, but there is no reason you can’t make up games of your own, or find other games people have created for the purpose of a happier marriage.

Are you in love?  Breaking up with your boyfriend can be the most devastating thing in your life if you were truly in love.  How can you get through this situation?

First of all, you need to determine whether the relationship is truly over.  There are a number of ways to get an ex boyfriend back.

You don’t want to chase him.  You want to give him some space, especially in the first days after a break up.  So, don’t pester him with calls or texts.  Instead, let him call you.

If he doesn’t contact you right away, don’t stress about it.  Instead, after about a week, call him yourself.  But, keep it casual.  Don’t go all weepy on him and ask him to get back together.  Also, keep it short.  Five or ten minutes should suffice.

If you are still in love after this amount of time, you need to consider making more fundamental changes.

For instance, do you need a makeover?  Would a new hairstyle or new clothes attract him back?  Do you need to lose a few pounds?

Also, consider whether there were aspects of your personality that drove him away.  Were you always nagging him?  Did you drop all of your own friends and hang around with him exclusively?  You may have been crowding him.

If you have identified areas where you can change, you need to do them.  It may take time, but if he is truly in love, break up won’t last.

But, you also have to be prepared to move on.  Fortunately, any changes you make to win your ex boyfriend back will also help you attract a new guy.  For instance, learning not to nag a man will help you keep any new boyfriend.  And, your new more glamorous self will be sure to attract lots of attention.

Use the time between boyfriends to find out what you really want in a man as well.  What was it that attracted you to your ex?  Did these qualities hold on over time or did they annoy you after a while?  Did you go for someone on the basis of looks only to find out that made for a very vain man?  Did you like his sarcastic sense of humor only to find out that he turned it on you?

You should also use this time between boyfriends to figure out what you want in yourself.  What can you improve – not for the sake of a guy – but to make the quality of your own life better?  This may mean getting back in touch with your girlfriends, taking up a class, or going to church again.

Remember, love break up do happen.  Sometimes you can get back together and sometimes you can’t.  The important thing is to be able to roll with the punches and move on to the newer, better you.

If you’ve been dumped and you’re looking for ways to get ex back then I have to say that kicking and screaming, begging and pleading is not the best of ways to get ex back.  Instead you need to make sure you closely follow what I’m about to lay out for you.

Always one of the ways to get ex back involves appearing to be in control of yourself and not acting like a desperate and needy out of control victim. So, if you’ve been accused of being needy, then now is your chance to show them that you’re far from that.

It might be too late, but if it isn’t and your ex is simply talking about leaving, then as soon as they mention that they’re leaving, make sure you agree the breakup.  Sounds like the opposite to what you want, but if you let them go and you do it calmly and without drama, then your path to getting them back is going to be a lot smoother.

Once they’re gone, you’re going to have to do what the experts call ‘No Contact!’ That means just what it says.  The best ways to get ex back is always to make sure you’re not bombarding them with text messages and calls.  If your ex has heard nothing from you since they walked out, then it doesn’t make them forget you, it makes them miss and wonder what you’re up to.

Getting on with your life after they have gone is a crucial method to use when you’re trying to figure ways to get ex back.  Not only is this a good way to keep yourself busy, but it is also a great way to put things into perspective.  Nothing will help you with your judgment and confidence more than being in a social situation and having some fun with others, so get on with your life.

After you have given yourself some time to think and adjust, guess what, your ex has had the same amount of time to calm down and reassess their decision too.  You should have been out of contact with your ex for at least a month before you decide the time is right to make contact with them.

Phone them up and have a very short and casual conversation with them.  Ask for a meeting somewhere neutral, but don’t make it sound like a big heavy deal. Remember you are trying to find ways to get ex back, so no emotional manipulation.

At the meeting explain you’ve had time to think and you would like to apologize for any mistakes you’ve made.  Tell your ex your feelings for them haven’t changed and you would like another chance.  Always give your ex space to say what they think and how they feel, and listen carefully and sincerely to what they have to say.

Once you’ve said your peace, tell your ex that you’re going to give them time to think things through and then leave.