If you're wondering what an open marriage is, it's when a married couple mutually agrees that they want to have sex or an intimate relationship with a person outside of their marriage. Clearly, it’s not for everyone. However, if that's your cup of tea, it can be a great way for couples to spice up their relationship; and keep both parties satisfied in the bedroom. The first thing you need to do is talk with your partner about your intentions. There are many ways for an open marriage to work, check out the surprising benefits that come along with it too:

Experience Different Types Of Relationships

Depending on the agreement that you have with your spouse, you can explore different types of relationships with other people. For example, you might date someone for years and then go your separate ways. Or you could go from casually dating to allowing them to move into your home with you and your spouse. Either way, you get to enjoy a wide variety of experiences. Just remember the importance of open communication with your spouse and whoever else you may invite into your life. This will help avoid conflict and marital problems in the long run. 

Your Sex Life is With More than One Person

An open marriage usually allows for sex outside of the primary relationship. It doesn't necessarily mean having tons of sexual partners, but it does allow for other people to enter your life sexually. This can be freeing if you want to explore things that your partner may not be into, and you can do so without worrying about hurting your partner's feelings. Additionally, the sexual satisfaction with your spouse may be stronger in an open marriage.

You Don't Need To Be In Love

You and your partner may find yourselves enjoying intimate relationships with other people. As long as you have set some ground rules and have strong communication skills, it can be beneficial for you both. 

You Can Have More Fun

You'll never run out of things to do when you have an open marriage. Whether you're traveling around the world together or simply going on fun dates with friends, you won't ever get bored.

You Get to Try New Things

Open marriages give you the opportunity to try new things like swinging, which means you can experiment with different types of relationships and other couples and see how they work out. A lot of people think that an open marriage is something that only works well for celebrities or porn stars but that is far from the truth. Remember, communication is key.

Your Partner Gets A Break From Being Around You

Traditional marriages require that partners spend a lot of time together and some couples get sick of each other. This isn’t necessarily the case with open marriages because your partner doesn’t have to spend as much time with you. 

It Can Make Your Life Easier

Most people assume that having an open marriage makes life harder. After all, you now have to keep track of two separate lives. However, this isn’t really the case. In an open marriage, you both have to agree to each other's terms and boundaries, which in turn can possibly make life easier. So whether you’re thinking about getting into an open marriage or already in one, these are just a few of the many benefits of having one.

What Are Some Of The Downsides of an Open Marriage?

While there are many positives to an open marriage, there are also some downsides. Here are some reasons why you shouldn't consider entering into one:

It Might not Work Well if You Have Children

Children need stability and security. They need to know where they fit in their family and whether or not they’re loved by everyone. If you’ve decided that you want to enter into an open marriage, then you should think carefully about whether or not you’ll be able to provide that for your children.

Your Partner May Not Want an Open Marriage

If your partner isn’t interested in a polyamorous or open relationship, you can’t force him/her into it. 

You Can Get Burned Out or end up Getting Divorced

When you’re in a monogamous relationship, you focus your energy on one person. When you’re in an open marriage, you’ll have access to a whole host of different people. This means that you could get burned out if you try too hard to keep things interesting. And if you’re having sex outside of your primary relationship, you could lose your sense of commitment to your spouse, or even worse, you could end up getting divorced.

Having a Successful Open Marriage

In order to successfully maintain an open marriage, you need to set clear boundaries. These boundaries are essential because they help prevent you from entering into unhealthy situations. Remember, boundaries aren't meant to hurt you or your partner, but rather to protect each other. 

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