I believe that marriage is a constant work in progress so we nurture ours with attention, love, and respect. My husband and I have been married for 3 years and we couldn’t have made it this far without commitment and everyday hard work.
 
 

 
 
One life aspect that we’re continually focusing on is health. We have realized that living a healthy lifestyle changes marital relationships for the better. Studies have stated that being in a relationship has more health benefits compared to not belonging in one (single or divorced), but we’d rather see it as a two-way cycle.

It’s true that being happy in a relationship lifts up and boosts a person’s well-being (mentally, emotionally, and physically), but we can also never deny the truth that a person’s physical wellness contributes positively or negatively to a relationship as a whole.
 
Take for example our own struggles as husband and wife. Ray started to rapidly gain weight in 2010. He works in an office for 8 hours a day as a web programmer and when he gets home, he plays video games or watch movies. Over-eating and physical inactivity contributed to an increase in his cholesterol levels. I knew then that if we didn’t change our sedentary lifestyle, it would become “Happily Ever Fatter” for us both.
 
I also had my own set of health concerns to deal with – anemia, fainting spells, and migraine. I’ve never really been among the ranks of women who are active and jumpy and sporty. In fact, I’m one of those quiet bookworms who appear to be “matamlay“, reading in a corner. The symptoms also tend to show themselves in other forms like extreme moodiness and irritability, making our journey as a partner harder than it already is. Plus, working as a full-time mom is a major energy zapper so I always feel exhausted and drained at the end of each day.
 
 

 
 
It was not so long ago when we both agreed to make some necessary changes to help strengthen our marriage. We started taking food supplements regularly, one of which is Circulan.

It’s made of 4 herbal extracts (Hawthorn, Gingko biloba, Garlic oil extract, Lemon balm) that promotes proper blood circulation. Our lack of physical activity and high-fat food consumption have caused us circulation problems. If not treated, future complications including hypertension, stroke, and heart attack might strike us both.

We’ve also made plans to exercise and go to the gym two or three times a week to help eliminate body toxins and improve our mobility, endurance, and overall physical health. Of course, we have also adjusted our diet plans, favoring high-fiber and low-salt meals over greasy and unhealthy food choices.
 
 

 
 
Physical health is only one part of the big scale that couples must work on and it will take a considerable amount of time and effort to get started. It is also not easy sticking to a certain plan because there will be relapses every now and then, but what’s more important is you don’t allow distractions, frustrations, and possible letdowns ruin your goals as a couple.
 
 

Now that we’ve tackled the “healthy” aspect of marriage, let’s now proceed to how to make your marriage happier.

Communication

Communication is vital for any healthy marriage. So, make communicating a regular priority, not something you only do when problems arise. Consider setting aside time each week to talk openly and honestly with each other about how you’re feeling. You can also share updates on your lives, make plans, and discuss issues in your relationship.

When talking, truly listen and seek to understand your partner’s perspective without rushing to interject your own view. Validate their feelings by reflecting on what you hear them saying. Expressing empathy even when you disagree also goes a long way. This approach builds trust and safety to share openly.

Specific communication ground rules can also help like no revisiting resolved issues or storming off mid-conversation. If things escalate, take a break and commit to reapproaching the topic once emotions have settled. Some couples also find it beneficial to work with marriage coaches to get support and help them communicate better.

Managing Stress and Self-Care

It’s vital in marriage to purposefully manage life’s stressors and make self-care a priority. After all, with hectic work schedules, family responsibilities, financial pressures and more, burnout can happen quickly. This situation depletes your own reserves and leaves little to contribute positively to your relationship.

So, be intentional about nurturing personal resilience through adequate sleep, nutrition, exercise and margin in your schedule. Don’t buy into the fallacy of glorified hectic days. Protect time for hobbies you enjoy, quiet reflection and friends who uplift you.

Published: 2013-03-10 09:29:44