5 Secrets That Will Make Your Marriage Last

Marriage is oftentimes romanticized by the media and after all the fairy tale weddings and honeymoons in exotic locations, you may find yourself wondering what's next for a newly minted married couple. Here are some advice on how to make a marriage last throughout the years.

1. Do meaningful things together. Living together may put a strain on a relationship, as it brings out little annoyances or pet peeves that you never realized were there before you got married. Make positive memories together by going on a vacation in a place where you both dream of visiting, or volunteer on a cause that mean something to both of you. Go hiking with a new set of people, or anything that you both would look back on fondly and tell your grandchildren about. Something as simple as a joint weight loss plan can make a huge impact on the relationship.

2. Be your own person while respecting your partner's individuality. Latina actress and singer wrote on PopSugar, "It is important to find a balance in a relationship, and this includes being happy with yourself." This means not losing sight of what you enjoy doing, such as your hobbies and interests, but also respecting your partner's extracurriculars. If he's into mountain climbing but you're not, let him pursue it on some weekends with his buddies. Likewise, give yourself "me time" or brunches with friends. "If you are both communicating and agreeing on your activities outside the relationship, and you are committed and respectful of your partner's feelings and needs, it should work out," Thalia wrote.

3. Respect each other's family members. "Treat your in-laws with respect. Building supportive relationships with family is crucial to a successful marriage," W. Bradford Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project told Women's Health. Fostering good relationships with each other's families creates a deeper, closer relationship between you and your spouse and your families.

4. Break the bad habits and moderate the alcohol. Women's Health reports that according to research, heavy drinkers are less likely to get married and have a greater risk for early separation if they do get married. Skip the drinking and pursue healthier habits together instead (see #1). "If you're going to be in a solid intimate partnership, you're going to need all the good judgment and compassion you can muster," psychologist Sean Patrick Hatt, Ph.D. said.

5. Hug it out, or be physical, in a good way. Huffington Post reader Michelle Gold shared, "At least once a day, especially after work, we just stand and give each other a long hug. No words or kissing or moving...It's a nice quiet moment in which we can decompress with each other." Thalia agrees, as she is an advocate of the "Hug Therapy", which simply entails hugging your partner.

Bonus tip: Do small but meaningful things for each other. Whether it's squeezing the toothpaste tube on the end where he or she likes it or leaving notes in unexpected places to let him or her know you're thinking about them, show your love in small but quirky and fun ways.