Marriages are hard work and it takes much more than love for them to survive the test of time.
While some marriages break down as soon as challenges arrive, others thrive and become stronger over time.
But, what are couples in happy and healthy marriages doing differently which sets them apart from the rest?
Here we list their advice on the five habits people in happy marriages avoid at all costs:
1. They don’t hold themselves back from apologing to their partner when needed
When you argue with your partner, the sooner you apologize, the better. It’s easy to shut down or stay upset—we get it. Holding a grudge doesn’t magically go away with age or experience. But the longer you let hurt feelings linger, the harder it becomes to truly talk things out.
A real apology isn’t about shifting blame or saying something like, “I’m sorry you felt that way.” Happy couples still have their disagreements—they just know how to make things right.
2. They don’t underestimate their partner
Happy couples try not to correct each other in public.
For instance: When a couple is out with their friends and one of them starts telling a story, sometimes the details are a little off. Sure, there’s a natural urge to jump in and set the record straight—but over time, couples in happy and healthy marriages have learnt that it’s just not worth it. In the big picture, letting those little inaccuracies slide is far more valuable than being “right”. What really matters is making each other feel supported, not undermined. And it’s the same for handling disagreements
3. They know the difference between being real and being careless
Here’s the truth: using “authenticity” as an excuse to stop being kind and thoughtful doesn’t make a relationship more real—it just makes it more hurtful. Being your true self shouldn’t mean being careless with the person you love most.
4. They don’t forget to show appreciation with kind words
If you think something nice about your partner, don’t keep it to yourself—say it out loud. A sincere, specific compliment can go a long way in strengthening how you see each other and your relationship.
5. They don’t wait for a special occasion to show they care
One of the most common and biggest mistakes couples usually make is to take each other for granted. Instead of showing how much they love and care for each other every day, they wait for special moments and days to express themselves.
