Expand your minds, improve your relationship: date nights and vacations
Kelly and Jordan went to Palm Springs with their kids for vacation every single year. They knew what to expect and where to find the food and activities they liked.
Bored with doing the same thing every year, Kelly suggested they switch up their plans. Why not take a trip to Mexico instead? Jordan resisted, so Kelly didn’t push it.
A few years later, their marriage ended in divorce. Not all quality time is the same.
What the research says
Researchers Cheryl Harasymchuk, Deanna L. Walker, Amy Muise, and Emily A. Impett found that while your relationship might experience a temporary boost from routine, comfortable date nights and vacations, you’ll experience deeper, more long-lasting positive effects by trying new exciting things together that broaden your mind and give you new perspectives.
Putting it into action
You’ll create powerful shared memories when you try new things, either in your own hometown or going on a trip together. Here are some ideas to consider:
Take turns planning a weekly date night. Surprise your partner with what you have planned!
Go somewhere different on vacation. If you have a vacation home or go to the same destination, plan a day trip to somewhere you’ve never been! Mix it up!
Take a class together, either in person or online, and learn something you don’t know how to do.
Scour local calendars or coupon sites to find fun things to do together.
Consider taking yourself out of your comfort zone! How about a drag show? Live jazz? Bike tour through your city?
Brainstorm all the things on your bucket list and get them scheduled.
If you have kids, find child care. Schedule date nights and vacations so you can prioritize quality time with each other.
Key takeaways
When you experience new things together, you create magical memories that will keep your romance alive. Looking back on your relationship, these moments will stand out above everything else in your life.
