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3 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Marriage Strong

30 June 2016 by Timmothy Miles

Marriage can be challenging for any couple. Although you fiercely love each other, you also have to learn how to blend two lives, and doing this can take years or even decades to master. In fact, people don't only struggle in their early years; they can also have problems after many years of marriage. This is why it is important to understand how to keep your marriage strong. Here are some suggestions for a healthy marriage.

1. Recognize That Every Change May Bring Stress

Marriage is an ever-growing and an ever-evolving relationship. With any or every life change, you should expect to see stress in the marriage. With every birth of a child, each move, any career changes, retirement, a death of a loved one, and so forth, you should expect to experience some sort of change in your marriage. Even if your marriage was incredibly healthy before, some major life event can turn everything upside down. This is why it is important that you are vigilant in giving time and love to your relationship. Recognize that nothing is set in stone, which is why the marriage will need constant nourishment.

2. Recognize That Your Spouse's Needs May Be Different Than Yours

Many people love in the way that they want to be loved. Although this is a great way to treat your spouse, you may have to go a step further and discover what their needs are, knowing that there is a good chance they your spouse's needs will be different from yours. For instance, you may desire more emotional support. Long conversations, kind words, and service in a time of need may be things that make you feel loved. But your spouse may need more intimacy, adventurous activities, and other things.

When you see what your spouse's needs are, you can better fulfill them. This will help to keep the marriage alive and well for both of you.

3. Forgive and Forget

One of the most toxic things for a relationship is for one or both partners to hold past mistakes over the other person's head. In a marriage, you have to be ready to forgive past mistakes. Your spouse may have hurt you through a certain action, but if they are sincerely sorry and want to move on, you have to allow them to change. And when things get rough, don't hold a mistake over their head. Your spouse needs to be completely forgiven.

By doing these simple things you can help keep your marriage strong. For further help, see a marriage and family therapist, such as Diane Fitch LMFT LPC.

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