All couples want their marital union to last forever. Ideas of break up, separation, and divorce hardly come to their minds. In spite of this desire to be together forever, break ups and divorces do take place. Heart breaks are a harsh reality of life. You might wonder if there is a way to prevent divorce and break up. There sure is a way! However, your marriage will last only if you put in an honest effort to make it last.

Here are 5 time-tested and proven methods of preventing divorce. You will be happy to discover that saving your marriage and preventing divorce is entirely within you power.

1. Good Communication

Most couples end up getting divorced simply because they do not communicate their needs to each other. What do you want out of your relationship? Has it ever occurred to you that if you don't tell your partner what you expect, your partner will find it impossible to meet your expectations?

You must have some quiet time with your partner. Use this time to talk to each other. Speak freely and frankly. Encourage your partner to do the same. Once you know what you expect from each other, you will find it easier to meet each other's expectations.

Good communication is the number one way to avoid marital strife and to build up a harmonious relationship.

2. Accept Your Spouse

Your marriage can end in divorce if your expectations regarding your spouse are unreasonable. While it is alright to have certain expectations, exceptionally high expectations can lead to strife and disappointment.

Many people enter matrimony believing that they can “change” their partner. You can only change yourself, not anybody else. So, if you expect your partner to make major behavioral and lifestyle changes, expect to be disappointed too.

Accepting your spouse for the unique person that he or she is makes more sense and is the key to a happy married life.

3. Go for Couple Counseling

Many people hesitate to go for couple counseling even when they realize that something is seriously wrong with their marriage. You can easily save your marriage and prevent a divorce by taking external help. Counseling does cost money; but it is cheaper than getting a divorce.

4. Rediscover Your Spouse

If you find yourself “falling out of love,” ask yourself what made you fall in love with your spouse in the first place. Recall the dating phase of your relationship. Weren't those the most beautiful days of your life? Those were the days when you were deeply in love with the same person you are now tired of.

The only solution to this problem is to relive the dating phase of your relationship. Do the same things you did for each other during those days. Look good for each other; listen to each other; write love letters to each other, purchase gifts for each other; go on dates together. In short, rediscover each other and fall in love again.

5. Remember that Divorce is Ugly

Divorce is ugly; it can shatter you mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. Moreover, it can have a negative impact on your children. Trying to save your marriage is much easier than getting a divorce.

Being in a relationship is a great gift. Consider yourself blessed to be enjoying this gift. Honor and cherish your spouse and your relationship with each other. Make it one of the most important things in your life. With such an attitude, you will find it difficult to even think of divorce.