Almost three-quarters of wives have considered leaving their husbands at some point, according to a Women's Day and AOL Living Poll.
CNN.
com reports it's a wonder anyone ends up walking into the sunset as "geriatric lovebirds.
" Because each stage of life offers new challenges, CNN.
com provides nine ways you can protect the health of your relationship no matter which stage you're currently in.
Here's a brief summary of the tips: * Watch your waistline - Married couples have larger waistlines, which can cause chronic health conditions and diminish sexual attraction.
Watch portion sizes.
* Make a financial plan - Money is the number-one argument topic for couples.
Even if you have different spending tendencies and priorities (many couples do), resolve your issues by making a plan and maintaining honesty about money.
* Create family rules - The way you grew up may be different from your spouse's background and different from how you want to raise your family.
Discuss home responsibilities, family priorities, how you plan to raise your children and how you will run your home as early as possible.
* Make sex a priority (but not a chore) - If you schedule sex, it may turn into yet another responsibility.
Regular intimacy is necessary for a healthy marriage.
* Be flexible - During life transitions, your roles may change or be adjusted.
Your spouses' value (or your own) doesn't depend on his or her paycheck or job.
* Remain active - Find an activity you can enjoy together, to remain healthy and enhance your sex life.
* Confide in a friend - A close friend can provide empathy and advice, but share carefully.
* Rediscover one another - After the nest is empty, marital satisfaction generally improves.
Use the freedom to enjoy each other.
* Be a conscious caregiver - As you and your spouse age, chances are good one of you will need to be caregiver at least for a time.
Ask for help when you need it.
Caring for yourself will enhance the care you provide.