Surprising key to an even stronger marriage

To help your husband through a difficult experience like a failure at work, follow your impulse to comfort him, but focus most of your energy on minimizing negative interactions (say, by biting your tongue to avoid an argument). In a study in the Journal of Family Psychology, couples who took this approach had higher relationship satisfaction. The researchers say negative exchanges have an outsize effect on mood, so showing your support by minimizing overall tension can be the most effective way to ride out tough times.