Want to live a happily married life? Dream of bringing back those fluttery butterfly feelings of romance and anticipation you experienced during your honeymoon period? You can achieve your dreams, but beware: the road to a happy marriage is far from easy. All marriages have rough patches. Some don't survive long enough to come out the other side, but many do. With sincere efforts from both husband and wife to make the marriage work and a lot of understanding, a marriage can be the most rewarding relationship anyone will ever have. Here are some ways to keep your marriage fresh at any age: Don't try to change each other: Know your partner's differences and stop trying to change him or her. Focus on each other's strengths instead of trying to fight your partner's personality. Remind your partner that you appreciate them: When some men feel unappreciated by their wives, especially after many years of marriage, they may be vulnerable to other women. Studies show that nearly half of men who have cheated say it was because of emotional dissatisfaction and not because of sex. Put your partner first: Show your spouse you care about their happiness more than your own. Scale back on some things that may have taken a lot of your time before you were married, such as films, sports or spending time with friends. Put you partner before yourself, your children and maybe also your parents. Pay attention to your look: With the years and a few kids, it's easy to let your appearance slide. Think about when you first met your partner. Try to pay your spouse the same courtesy you do your friends by fixing yourself up for him or her every once in a while. Make forgiveness your choice: Those we love have the most power to hurt us, intentionally or unintentionally, and because in marriage we are with each other day in and day out, those hurts can add up. Though it can be difficult, forgiveness can really save marriages by removing bitterness or anger. Stay active as you age: If you don't exercise or you stopped regularly exercising when you had children, try to find new ways to stay active. Some experts suggest that couples who exercise more frequently tend to have better sex lives. You don't need to be seriously sweating to reap the benefits of regular exercise: moderate exercise is enough. Watch your weight: Married couples tend to have fatter waistlines, which can spell trouble in term of sexual attraction and general health. A study published in the US New England Journal of Medicine found that your chances of becoming obese increase by 37 per cent if your spouse becomes obese. Agree to disagree: You should have some level of disagreement. Being good together does not mean that you agree on everything. Despite varying attitudes, opinions, beliefs or opposing views on major areas, try to respect the point of view of each other and even have a sense of humour over your partner's points of contention. Recognise that of two opposing views, one of them does not have to be “right”. Be realistic: Romance is wonderful, and seeing the best in your partner is a sure way to maintain love and intimacy. But you are going to have years with your spouse, so you need to be able to except some imperfections. For the marriage to last, you need to see beyond personal weaknesses and foibles as no one is perfect. All marriages need work sometimes; expecting it all to be effortless, or that it should always be perfect, creates disappointment as unrealistic expectations always do. Know that things change, but that doesn't make them less exciting or fun. Add romance: Show that you care about adding a spark to your relationship. Small gestures like giving your spouse a flower, sending a love note, or surprising them with a nice present bring big happiness. Let your spouse have time to enjoy his or her hobbies. You will be surprised how much quality time you can spend after that. And finally — trust the strength of your bond and learn to trust your partner.
