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According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 50% of all marriages end in divorce. Your marriage could become a divorce statistic no matter how strong it seems if you don't take steps to keep It strong. Marriages perceived to be made in heaven have their share of problems. Here are few things you and your spouse can do to strengthen your perfect marriage or improve your rocky one
Turn off the devices
Your television, phone, laptop, tablet, mp3 player, stereo, and even smart-watch are all distractions. You can get through your day without them. Schedule a day and turn off the devices. All of them. Spend this time with your spouse. Talk about your day. Tell them about your dreams. Share your thoughts. Take a quiet walk. Just disconnect from the devices and connect with your spouse.
Set Up a Budget
Money is one of the two most common things couples fight about. Discuss how the money will be spent. You should agree on what extra money is being saved for. If possible, you should each get an allowance that each can spend as they see fit. Money isn't as important as your marriage, but the bills need to be paid.
Be Intimate Often
The second most common thing couple fight about is sex. You may need a date night. The physical desire for each other must be kept alive. Those who don't have a physical desire for each other become roommates. Keep the spark alive and make sure your partner Is also working to keep the spark alive. Talk about it, then do it.
Talk about Other People
Family, friends and kids also cause couples to fight. Maybe you hate her mother or she can't get along with your kids from a previous marriage. Relationships outside of the marriage can put a lot of stress on a marriage. Some people cannot handle that level of stress, and some cannot choose between their friends and family or their spouse… and they shouldn't have to choose. Sharing your feelings and expectations with each other is the best way to resolve conflicts. Maybe then you can bring the person or people who are causing the distress into the conversation.
Don't Interrupt.
People often interrupt each other. Life moves fast these days, and people try to make their conversations move fast as well. Stay focused on what your spouse is saying. Wait until he or she is finished talking and then speak. Your mind may form thoughts at the speed o light, but you need to learn to hold your thought and your tongue, and continue to listen until it is your turn to speak.
Take turns discussing your vision of the future.
Are you following the same path? Maybe she wants to continue to live in the city you live in so she can rise through the ranks at her job. Meanwhile, you want to move across the country so you can attend graduate school at a certain university. Perhaps she wants to live in the suburbs, while you have always dreamed of living on a farm. Somebody has to compromise. Nobody wants to give up on their dreams, and to keep a marriage alive and strong, your dream may need compromises.
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