10 ways to save your marriage/relationship

Handling a relationship has never been easy, and in today's high-stress environment, things have become even more difficult. When both partners have full-time jobs that are demanding, there are kids who need attention (as well as the parents), plus the whole concept of me-time added to the fray just makes it seem as if separation or divorce is a time bomb just waiting to explode. But that need not be the case. Many a times, being mentally prepared or talking things out as a pre-emptive measure can help save your marriage/relationship. Over the past few months, we've brought you Two to Tango that deals with issues that today's modern couples face, and how to resolve them. Here are 10 takeaways that you might be able to relate to, or learn from.

1. Is work affecting your relationship?

In today’s world, working couples are more of a rule than an exception. Both partners have their respective careers, their goals and their expectations as well, and since double income is more of a necessity than choice, couples often immerse themselves in their work. The flipside, however, is that with too much focus on work, relationships often take a beating. Most couples find themselves spending less time with their spouses and more time at the office. In such a scenario, while they end up thriving professionally, their personal lives leave a lot to be desired. So, what should they do? Read here. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

2. Is it a good idea to work with your spouse?

While we feel that love, sex and companionship are strong enough glues to keep a marriage intact, staying together 24/7 is a different ball game altogether. On top of it when some couples decide to work together, the couples are not just partners in personal life but professional as well. And while some cynics shake their head at the whole prospect of spending more than necessary time with their spouses, there are others who swear by the pros of such an enterprise. What's the solution? Read here. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

3. Are you spending more time with gadgets than your partner?

A study has cautioned that couples who use Facebook excessively are far more likely to face marital problems that may even lead to breakup and divorce. Today, many couples are finding a great companion in virtual world than with their own partners. There are smart phones, i-Pads, laptops, games, notepads that are serving as good substitutes for spouses. So, how can you work around it? Read here. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

4. Why lack of space can be unhealthy for a marriage:

One of the most common grievances couples have is that their partner does not give them the space they need. Most say they felt stifled in their marriage and in the company of their partners. It was ironic that most of these couples had fallen in love with their partners because of certain qualities that they admired and valued – most important being their independent spirit and the ability to be in control. But the moment they got married, things changed – and all because one partner wanted to change the other or control the other. So, how can we give our partners some space? Read here. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

5. What to do when parents start interfering in your marriage?

Marriage is one of the most challenging phases in your life, but what is more challenging is to deal with the in-laws that come as a part and parcel of your new relationship. It is like a parallel relationship that you have to deal with, even as you are still trying to learn the ropes of your newly married life. At such a juncture, to have in-laws who don’t make things easy, can be rather stressful. How do you deal with that? Read here. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

6. Should a couple take occasional breaks from each other?

It’s very common for people to move from “I” to “we”, “mine” to “ours” and “me” to “us” when they become a couple. It is also expected that they will do everything together – be it watching TV, going to the gym, shopping, and even being on social media. But in every relationship comes a time when couples need some space from each other, when they feel they need some “me” time or even some time away from the spouse with their own set of friends or family. But many couples feel uncomfortable with the feeling that they are seeking a break. Should they? Read here. (Source: Screenshot)

7. When friends become a troublemaker in relationship:

Friends are a vital part of our lives and even when some people get married and have a spouse, they can never be a substitute for the friends you have. However, when it comes to relationships – marital or otherwise – not all friends have a positive role to play. Counsellors says that while friends should continue being an important part of our lives even after we are married, there should be no overlapping of the space that they occupy in your life. Read more. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

8. When a partner from the past meddles with your present:

No one forgets the moment when they met their partner for the first time – whether it was love at first sight or whether it was something that grew over time. For them, it is that moment that is special and something that they cherish and value. At such times one never for a moment, thinks about the partner’s life before they met – because in the first flush of romance and companionship it doesn’t seem to matter. But when something or someone from the past makes an entry into the present, the future of relationship always becomes tense. Why is that? Read here. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

9. Can boredom lead to divorce?

It might seem innocuous but boredom is one of the most common and the most threatening issues that couples face. It is like a silent worm that eats into marriage if the couples are not careful. Experts say boredom is one of the reasons that often creates distance, coldness and even leads to infidelity sometimes. So what can you do to avoid it? Read here. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

10. How dividing housework can strengthen your relationship:

When you are floating on the cloud of love, breathing the air of romance and drowning in the sea of passion, the last thing that comes to mind is the unromantic, mundane and oh-so-boring issue of “division of labour”. But believe it or not, that is one of the issues that can cause friction, sometimes to the extent that it threatens the very relationship itself. Here's why. (Source: Thinkstock Images)