Reduce your stress through conversations.

According to research, helping to manage stress in your life with the aid of your spouse is crucial to the long-term health of the marriage. Neil Jacobson, Ph.D. from the University of Washington, identifies that stress from outside of marriage that spills into the relationship can have an effect. Couples that can turn towards each other and help each other cope with outside stresses have strong marriages.

1. Reunite at the end of the day with your partner and talk about how it went.
   On a typical day, spend twenty to thirty minutes on this conversation. (Cardinal Rule: Talk about whatever is on your mind that is outside the marriage. This is not a time to discuss conflicts in your relationship. It is time to support each other emotionally.)

2. Make this a daily habit.