According to statistics, married people are healthier than single people. Broken marriages are called divorce. Divorce rates climbed in the 1960s, peaking in 1981. MSNBC reported that the divorce rate has declined to its lowest level since 1970. Few, if any, enter marriage looking forward to divorce. Avoiding divorce is a learned process.

Some key elements exist in lasting marriages. Trust is one, because without trust there is no friendship, much less marriage. Trust is two-sided, trusting your spouse and being trustworthy. You trust your spouse if you imagine closing your eyes and falling back into his or her arms. If you expect that your partner will not catch you, you may have a trust issue. If you are not trustworthy, you need to learn to the things that build trust. From trust comes honesty, commitment and compromise. Remember, trust is easy to break and very difficult to rebuild.

Honesty partners with tact and trust. If you can't stand what your spouse is wearing, you can honestly say you like one specific item. Honesty is not telling absolutely everything. Honesty involves speaking truth in love, keeping promises and keeping secrets.

Both spouses need to be committed to each other and the marriage. Learn to forgive and be there for you partner. If you planned a dinner with your wife, keep the date. If you planned to watch the game with your husband, do it. Your spouse can also be your best friend. Commiting to each other forms the foundation of your marriage.

Learning to compromise can be difficult. Don't automatically start assuming; ask questions if you don't understand. Marriage is a two-way street and you need to communicate in order to agree. One way to avoid  yelling and arguing is to find the common ground. For example, instead of arguing about which restaurant, find out why your spouse wants to go to that one. Perhaps the item he wants is available at a place that also serves what you want. Learn to listen and let your spouse finish speaking before you comment. 

Divorce often results when a barrier grows between spouses. Don't let the barrier develop. Remember to commit, compromise, be honest, and trust. It could lead to a healthier life.