Three Easy Ways to Keep Your Marriage Strong

We are always being told that marriage is hard work. Just like an old house that has been neglected and allowed to fall apart, a marriage that has been ignored will begin to crumble, and it will take a lot of time and effort to rebuild it.

But if we remember to keep up with the maintenance, our marriages, like our homes, will stay in good condition. When a problem comes along, it will be easier to handle, because the underlying structure is sound.

Here are three easy things you can do every day to keep your marriage strong. On average, following this program will add less than five minutes a day to your schedule, and the rewards will be enormous.

Words of Affirmation

You love your spouse, and you show it in many ways, but you rarely put your feelings into words. Talking about emotions doesn't come naturally to you. Maybe you are more comfortable talking about work, your hobbies, politics, or the weather. Or maybe you feel really good sharing a companionable silence, performing a task together without the need to chat about it, or sitting comfortably next to your partner while you read a book or watch TV.

But the person you married doesn't share your point of view. He or she wants you to talk about your feelings, especially your feelings about the relationship, and feels neglected when that doesn't happen. Perhaps you've been accused of being an uncaring person, despite all the ways you show your love, because your spouse wants you to say it. And just saying "I love you" at appropriate times doesn't seem to be enough. He or she wants more, and you don't have a clue what else you can say.