Do You Want A Really Healthy Marriage? This is What You Need To Do To Get It!

By: Tony Darbyshire Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Everyone who really cares about their family life wants to maintain a healthy marriage. It is often a matter of setting the right priorities so we can keep a sensible balance, that allows us to be the good spouse, or partner, we want to be.

But it's not always as simple as it first appears and we have to focus on some issues which, at first glance, seem obvious but probably aren't.

It can be easy to overlook the essential need to cultivate your relationship. Taking your partner for granted is very easy to do, but it’s also easy to avoid - if you know how. A healthy marriage requires you do some basic things. Here is just a few of them:

Take time to make time - for each other. Being able to communicate effectively is making time for your conversations, which should be in a setting free from other distractions. Try turning off the television and make it possible to have a real conversation with your partner. Try cooking together, or order in a healthy takeaway, and have a pleasant dinner with each other on a regular basis. Sit at a table too… it makes conversation so much more fun than eating in the armchair!

Communicate effectively. Communication is the most important key to building a strong, healthy relationship. Effective communication requires you to be an ‘active listener’, and that means listening without making up your mind, beforehand, on the outcome. Focus on what your partner is saying —as well as expressing your own feelings in a constructive, honest and fair way.

Avoid criticizing, ridiculing, dismissing or rejecting your partner for what he, or she, is saying. If you're feeling frustrated, and sense that you are getting angry, take a ‘time-out', and agree to resume your conversation later.

Always play fair. It's not possible to see eye to eye on everything... it just won't happen. Resolving conflicts depends on being respectful of your partner's feelings, even when you are in the middle of an argument. Even if you don't always agree on things you're discussing, let your partner know that you value what he, or she, is saying.

Note that if you ever feel that you may physically harm your partner, walk away immediately and seek help straight away. Not to do so really invites a lot of trouble. So please, even though your temper may be frayed at the edges, step back and count to a much higher number than ten. It may stop you from doing something you might regret later.

Too summarize: keep smiling and remember to take time to smell the roses with each other. Work on communicating well; work at avoiding being overly critical; don't get into the habit of rejecting, or dismissing your partner out of hand. Just treat him, or her the way you want to be treated. With dignity, fairness and respect. That way you will keep your sanity and have a lot more fun with each other!

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: For you to maintain a healthy marriage means paying attention to some of the things we often take for granted. This site may be worth visiting too, because it's packed with some terrific advice on so many other aspects of our relationship... www.relationship-secrets.com ... go and take a good look!