The save-my-marriage struggle can be avoided from happening in case the married couple is proactive in handling their own relationship. Just remember 5 tips to bring this strategy and live your marriage smoothly

When you said "I do" on your wedding day, you purchased yourself a ticket for a roller-coaster ride that is stoppable by death alone. You will experience both thrilling and nauseating days, high and low months and daring and fearful periods. Once you and your partner become unwilling to go through the down times, you’re relationship will be in crisis. Otherwise, your marriage will suffer and worse, you might eventually break up.

To avoid the reactive question, "How will I save my marriage?" be proactive in handling your union and in keeping your sacred promise. Below are five guidelines on how to put through this proactive approach.

Marriage requires communication.

Communication must be a two-way street in marriage. Intimacy and connection develop from disclosure of thoughts, hopes, ideas and dreams. For it to be effective, one must be able to understand what the other truly means. To know what he/she truly means, listen with your ears and eyes. It can be with the tone, with the facial expression and other physical indicators.

Marriage needs healthy silence.

When rage and depression dominate you, you tend to blurt out hurtful statements. In situations like this, being quiet can be a healthy option. Let the negative energy leave you first before you initiate a conversation. As you calm yourself, try to ponder how you can express your feelings without attacking your partner’s ego.

Don’t let the fire die.

Go out on regular dates with your spouse. If it’s alright with your parents or friends, you can leave your children with them for an hour or two. Continue doing things you enjoyed before you settled down. Don’t stop sending love notes, exchanging gifts and throwing surprises. Tell your partner your love hasn’t changed a bit. Sweet things like these can keep you from undergoing the save-my-marriage conflict.

Compromise with your spouse.

You will have disagreements with your partner once in a while. You want to order steak but he/she asserts sweet and sour fish. You feel like exercising together but he/she is too tired for it. You want to enroll your son in a private institution but he/she thinks you can’t afford the tuition. When you have different opinions and preferences, make a compromise. Come into terms and do whatever you’ve agreed without grudges.

Marriage is an investment.

Treat your marriage like it’s a business you own. If you have that sense of ownership, you’ll do everything to sustain it. You will continually assess the situation, examine the problems and foresee the threats to keep it from failing. You will feel proud of its achievements and mileposts too. Expectedly, it will get special attention from you.

Don’t wait for your marriage to get miserable to deserve your attention. Give your union ample attention, address your and your partner’s needs and resolve your relationship issues to prevent any save-my-marriage battle.