Marriage is not only based on love but also on respect between both husband and wife. Here are some important keys to a successful marriage.

1. Communicate clearly and regularly

Talking to your spouse is one of the best ways to keep your marriage healthy and successful. Be honest about how you’re feeling but be kind and respectful when you communicate. Part of good communication is being a good listener and taking the time to understand what your spouse wants and needs from you. Keep lines of communication open by talking regularly, not just about things like bills and kids. Share your thoughts and feelings.

2. Tell your spouse that you are grateful for having him or her in your life

Appreciate your spouse and express how happy you are to have them in your life. Express gratitude when your partner cooks dinner, helps the kids with homework, or simply helps you with grocery shopping. It can be helpful to take a few minutes each evening to tell each other at least one thing that you appreciated about each other that day.

3. Spend time together

With work and family responsibilities, it can be easy to forget about spending time with your partner. Plan special dates, hang out, or simply stay at home together. If you have kids, ask them out while you relax, talk, and be with your spouse.

4. Allocate time for yourself and your friends

Your private time is just as important as time together. Everyone needs time to recharge, think, and enjoy personal interests. That time is often lost when you get married, especially if you have kids. Hang out with friends, take a class, or do volunteer work, whatever you find rewarding. When you get back together with your partner, you will appreciate each other even more.

5. Calmly compromise

One of the keys to a successful marriage is the willingness to compromise. You won’t agree on everything, but it’s important to be fair and respectful in times of disagreement. Listen to your spouse’s point of view. Try not to get angry and don’t let yourself get too frustrated. Walk away and calm down if you need to, then discuss the matter again when you’re both in a better mood. Negotiate on issues so that both of you can come up with a reasonable and consensual opinion.

6. Build trust

Marriage therapist Dr. John Gottman has found that criticism, disdain, defensiveness, and stoning are serious threats to a marriage. The more a couple engages in these activities, the more likely they are to divorce. Decades of research on couples have shown that when spouses who stay together take responsibility for their actions, they are also more likely to respond quickly to each other’s wishes to reduce conflicts and repair their relationships.

7. Learn to forgive

Each of us has made mistakes. Your spouse might hurt your feelings or do something that upsets you, and that could make you angry. But it’s important to deal with your feelings and learn to forgive and love.

Above are 7 keys to a successful marriage. When you can implement them in your love life, you will have a happy marriage and you will feel comfortable, relieve marital stress and lead a healthier lifestyle.