Matthew McConaughey recently shared a straightforward piece of wisdom that he believes has contributed to the enduring strength of his marriage to Camila Alves, and it all begins in the bedroom.
The 55-year-old Oscar-winning actor has published a new book titled *Poems & Prayers*, where he delves into his thoughts on life, love, faith, and family.
One particular insight from the book has garnered attention for its straightforward approach to maintaining intimacy and connection in marriage.
In the book, McConaughey writes: “The best thing you can / do for your / marriage. One way to surely / get ahead, / is get rid of that / king-size mattress, / and sleep in a / queen-size bed.”
The *Interstellar* star suggests that couples should consider downsizing their bed to help maintain the spark in their relationship.
McConaughey explained to Fox News that switching to a queen-sized bed helped bring him and Alves physically closer.
He shared, “We have kids and we go to our friend’s house and he has one of these double king-size beds… the wife’s on one side with her side table and the husband’s on the other side. I wake up one morning, I’m looking over there and Camilla’s like a football field away, man.”
Joking about how difficult it was to cuddle, he said: “You want to snuggle up and, ‘Well, we’ve got to cover you up. Come about 12 feet and I’ll come 12 feet’.”
The realization of how disconnected they felt in the large bed led McConaughey to opt for a change.
McConaughey stated, “You’re like, man, this damn king-size bed is not good for the marriage, man. Get rid of that son of a b****. So we got a queen size where we’re shoulder to shoulder. I’m telling you, it’s good for your marriage.”
He also mentioned that the queen-sized bed leaves no room for their three children – Levi, Vida, and Livingston – which makes it exclusive for him and his wife.
Married since 2012, the couple moved from California back to Texas to raise their family. McConaughey emphasizes the importance of dedicating time to each other as a couple, not just as parents.
He remarked, “You’ve got kids… but you also gotta make sure – and I can do a better job of this – of going, ‘No, this is our time’.”
He added, “You gotta make to remember that one of the best examples you can give the kids of how to treat a woman or a man or how to someone they end up falling in love with down the line is how you treat their mother and how the mother treats the father.”