5 Keys to a Long Healthy Marriage

Marriage is an equal partnership between two people. As you enter into marriage together, you take solemn vows and promise to love and care for one another as long as you both live. The sad reality is that there are many couples out there who give up on love way too soon and then the marriage ends in divorce.

If you are struggling in your marriage, you are not the first person to do so, nor will you be the last. Some common problems in many marriages include:

· Financial burdens

· Lack of communication

· Blended family issues

· Unexpected medical complications

There are five simple and basic keys to a healthy marriage that can last a lifetime. These five keys will help you both stay on common ground when times get tough.

Key #1: Open communication.

Above all else, you have to keep the lines of communication open with your spouse. The moment you start locking your thoughts and feelings inside is the very moment walls are built and the foundation of your marriage gets shaky. Keep the communication going between each other.

Key #2: Become as one.

Lots of couples keep living separate lives after they get married. Even though they might share the same last name, they keep separate checking accounts or savings accounts. They make purchases without consulting one another. All these little things will add up to a lot of grief later.

Key #3: Share responsibilities.

As you begin to evolve in your marriage and build a family together, it is very easy to each become consumed with many different things at this stage of your life. It is important to remember to continue sharing responsibilities with each other. Make a plan that clearly lays out responsibilities for each spouse, then stick to it.

Key #4: Bear one another’s burdens.

Every couple will go through many trials together. It is crucial to be there for each other during these difficult times. You need each other to lean on. When one spouse is down, the other needs to be there to pick up the slack.

Key #5: Dream together.

Just as important as having personal goals and dreams, it is important that you have dreams and goals as a couple. What do you want from your marriage? How can your marriage be productive? Discovering dreams you have as a couple can strengthen your marriage, as it gives you both a common goal to work towards together.