With nearly half of all American marriages ending in divorce, it can be easy to worry about your own relationship. And after living with your spouse for years, you may feel that your marriage is strained or lifeless.
Remember your wedding day: you were excited, happy, and in love. If that feeling has left your marriage, but you want it back, don’t despair—you have the power to infuse your marriage with new energy and romance. Below, we’ve got 5 tips to help strengthen, rejuvenate, and improve your marriage.
Can Your Marriage Survive? Tips to Make Your Relationship Last
Photo by Canico Studios
Express Affection
People who are in affectionate relationships are the happiest and most secure. Offer nonsexual physical rewards, like holding hands or a hug after work. Compliment your spouse sincerely, and seek to point out the qualities you like best about him or her. Offer encouragement and make time for your spouse. Bring the spark you felt while you were dating back by giving affection and showing your love wherever you can.
Express Gratitude
Your spouse probably does many things for you every day. Don’t believe us? Pay attention. If you struggle to notice anything right away, try to find just one thing each day to say thank you for. Be sincere in your gratitude, and look for something new. You’ll be surprised by how many things you discover about them, and your partner will appreciate the extra attention and gratitude you give.
Forgive and Let Go
For many people, an inability to forgive their partner for mistakes—big or small—can drive a wedge of frustration and hatred into a relationship. Just let it go. Fight the urge to remind your spouse of grievances and mistakes when you feel frustrated, tired, or angry. Though they may never apologize for certain things, does that matter more than your marriage? Pick your battles and try to forgive and forget when you can.
Say Sorry
According to Sioux Falls therapy and counseling services, when you apologize, you bring humility and tenderness to your marriage—two critical values that hold couples together. Say sorry when you have knowingly hurt your spouse, and don’t be afraid to apologize when you may have accidentally offended them as well. Let them know you are aware of their feelings and are still trying to live up to their expectations.
Listen
It’s human to think about what you want to say, and how you want to say it. Instead, listen to your spouse, and try to understand what they are trying to communicate. If you don’t understand, ask questions until you do. Be patient. At the beginning of your relationship, you probably wanted to learn everything you could about your future spouse, so you paid attention and listened. Do the same today. You’ll be surprised by how much you can learn still.
Give your spouse the benefit of a doubt, and give these tips a try. Couples who are committed to each other can do more than just make their marriage survive. With time you can improve it in ways you never imagined.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan. you can also connect with her on Google+, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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