Divorce affects one in two marriages in the United States every year, and as time passes that percentage continues to increase. If you are involved in a marriage, it is important that you remain cognizant of the common signs that ultimately lead to divorce. If these trends are present in your relationship, there are some methods you may employ in order to save your marriage.

If your marriage is becoming an overwhelmingly negative experience there is a good chance your marriage is going to be coming to an end. Carrie Krawiec, a marriage counselor and therapist out of Michigan, suggests that for every single negative moment there should be five positive moments. This 5:1 ratio seems to be the balance required to maintain good chemistry between partners.

When unremorseful infidelity occurs there is also a very high likelihood the marriage is going to end. To the surprise of many, cheating can be overcome. In order to do so, it must be met with genuine understanding, love, compassion, and an unrelenting effort from both sides to fix that which was broken.

The decline of physical interaction between partners is a sign that the marriage is on the decline. This point goes far beyond sexual interactions. The simple things that have huge implications include hand-holding, hugs, kisses, and general physical contact. Body language is a very primal and intimate way to communicate sensually with your partner, and when that ends the marriage is likely to end as well.

Enough of the negative. Let’s look at some signs that suggest your marriage can be saved.

If you and your partner continue to go on dates there is a high likelihood that your marriage is salvageable. There is no doubt that our day to day lives have become filled with more and more chaos and to-do’s than those in the past. However, if you and your partner still make time to spend a Friday evening with one another for quality “couple time” there is a chance that the marriage can be saved.

If one partner fails to remain faithful, it doesn’t mean that the marriage is over. Despite the harsh negative emotions that accompany cheating, if both parties truly want the marriage to continue there are ways to make it happen. Understanding that cheating is usually the symptom of a larger problem within the relationship gives both partners the foundation upon which they can build.

Finally, if you are still comfortable enough to share your thoughts and emotions with your partner, the union is likely still strong enough to save. If both parties are able to offer a sanctuary within which they can truly be themselves, there are positive implications on the strength of the relationship.