11 Surefire Tips To Make Your Wife Happy

A happy wife, they say, is the secret to having a happy life. A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family confirms this and says wives who are satisfied with their marriages actually make it a point to make their husbands happy.

“A wife’s happiness in the marriage has the power to overtake a husband’s marital unhappiness to make his overall life quite pleasant,” said Deborah Carr, a Rutgers University sociology professor and one of the authors of the study.

Troy Stoneking, author for The Good Men Project, agrees. “For more than 20 years I have been ecstatically married to the same amazing woman,” he said. “When we committed to marriage we decided divorce would never be an option.”

He also came up with 11 rules that will help husbands ensure that their wives – and by extension, their lives, will be much happier.

Here they are:

#1. Do simple chores.

Troy shared:

“This morning, I emptied the dishwasher and she was so appreciative. I often help with the laundry and make the bed. Simple chores show her I care about making our house feel like a home.”

#2. Prioritize your wife’s needs.

“I always ask what she wants to eat for dinner rather than suggesting my own preference,” Troy revealed. “When running together, we set a pace that works for her. It’s her, then me. It’s not me being a doormat. It’s me respecting her needs.”

#3. Be a good listener.

When your wife wants to share, just lend a listening ear. “Sometimes I ask questions to let her dig deeper into her thoughts and emotions,” he said. “I don’t try to solve the problem unless asked.”

#4. Treat her with gentleness.

“My wife never hears a harsh tone from me,” Troy claims. “She doesn’t have to worry about me being threatening. I love her too much to be anything but gentle with her.”

#5. Express gratitude often.

Saying “thank you” for simple things may be something easy to overlook but Troy discourages that. He said:

“She receives more of my verbal appreciation than anyone else in my life. I make sure she often hears how much her actions mean to me.”

#6. Compliment her.

Along with expressing gratitude, complimenting your partner can also make a big difference in your relationship.

Troy explained “When she tries a new outfit or hairstyle, I notice, and I compliment her on it. When we are with friends, I tell them of the many great things she does. I love how she paints, how she gets out and runs in the worst of weather, how she cares so much for others.

Also, be genuine with your compliments.

#7. Be responsible.

“Certain things like taking out the trash, making sure the lawn is mowed, and doing small repair jobs are my responsibility in our home. When it’s my job, I do it.”

#8. Listen to her advice.

“I’m a runner. At this point, 3 miles is a breeze for me. Recently my wife pointed out that when I say “It’s just 3 miles,” I may be unintentionally insulting others. She helped me remember that 3 miles used to be a huge distance to me, and that kindness means thoughtfully treating everyone with respect, no matter where they are on their journey. I don’t use those words anymore.”

#9. Value her opinion.

Making decisions doesn’t have to be a thing you do on your own, husbands. Take it from Troy who says he always asks her wife’s input when he has a “difficult decision ahead.”

#10. Be supportive of her dreams.

“On her last birthday, I gave my wife a gift certificate to a local art studio. She loves to paint and this will allow her to buy supplies and enjoy more classes. I want her to follow her dreams, so I support her in practical ways.”

#11. Say “I love you” as often as possible.

“Every day, several times per day, I tell my wife I love her,” said Troy. “It never loses its power and I’m always sincere. She does the exact same thing for me. I want to make sure there is never any question she knows she’s the one I love most.”