Lifestyle

Burr… it’s cold outside. We know we need to wear warm clothes to prevent feeling cold or even frost bite. Each year we make sure our coat, gloves and hats are ready for the frosty weather. Our mechanic checks the anti-freeze in the car before the winter freeze sets in to prevent costly repairs.

Prevention is used over and over again in our society to stop something bad from happening. We take medicine to prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar and many other conditions. But for some reason we do not look at what prevention needs to be done in order to fight off the almost 50 percent divorce rate. Keep in mind that percentage doesn’t even include the unhappy couples who stay together but are miserable.

One prevention tactic for marriage is to practice weekly romance and connecting nights just for the two of you. How many of you have best friends from high school, college or past jobs that you thought would always be in your life? If you don’t stay connected to them with visits, emails or phone calls, they become a past acquaintance. The same thing happens in our marriages. If we don’t take special time together to stay connected you and your partner can and do become disconnected and unhappy.

The overwhelming divorce rate certainly gives us a heads up that it is something we need to add to our prevention awareness list. Here are a few divorce prevention tips: Ask this daily question, “How was your day?” Then stop and really listen to each other. Go for a weekly date or drive in the country. Meet at the porch swing or hammock as the sun is setting a couple days a week. Cook together or simply cuddle in bed for a few minutes each night before you fall asleep. If you have children you especially need this time. Get a babysitter when you can and have special time together after the kids are in bed a few nights a week.

Prevention on any issue is first being aware you need to put a system in place to prevent an issue. It seems silly to most that we need to prevent love from ending, but a little daily kindness, attention and romance can keep love feeling magical.

Happy living and loving! Kim Reutzel