Love & Relationships

Experts say it’s an important thing to think about, when you consider how rare it is to find “enduring love.” After all, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce. There’s a new study called the Enduring Love Project that’s trying to get to the bottom of what couples in long-term relationships do, specifically, to keep their relationship strong. The results of this new study won’t be out until next year, but in the meantime, here are some things couples can do right now to have a chance at lasting love:

• Trust. That means having 100% percent confidence that your partner will always behave in a way that’s consistent with your mutual values.
• Commitment. That includes a commitment to each other as individuals, and a commitment to the relationship itself. In other words: Every decision you make serves your own needs and supports your partner’s needs.
• Communication. That means being open and honest when something bothers you. But it also means having regular conversations about the things that are working in your relationship.
• Share. Everything from your sense of humor to mutual respect and intimacy.

If you want to get involved in this new study, it’ll be up and running until the end of the year. Go toEnduringLove.co.uk. Even though it’s based in England, researchers are looking for participants from the U-S and Canada.