Life is short! That being said, it behooves all of us to take advantage of every moment that we have. Spending quality time with each other as a couple creates lasting memories and increases happiness in marriage.
According to a 2022 Institute for Family Studies report, 83% of couples who spend regular quality time together (at least once per week) describe their marriages as “very happy.” On the other hand, only 45% of couples who rarely spend quality time together report the same.
According to a 2020 Marriage Foundation study, couples cited the following ideas as most meaningful:
- Talking without distractions (84%)
- Sharing meals (65%)
- Date nights (56%)
- Exercising or walking together (42%)
Emotional Disconnection: What the research says A 2021 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) study noted that 71% of couples in therapy cite emotional distance as a primary issue—often stemming from a lack of quality time. Additionally, the National Marriage Project found that couples who rarely engage in shared activities are two times more likely to consider divorce compared to those who frequently spend time together. The research is pretty clear that couples who play together will more than likely stay together. It is our sincere hope that you will utilize the information provided here to find creative ways to spend time together.
Stay tuned for our next segment regarding ideas for date nights. Thanks for listening…Be blessed.
Written by: Dr. Ron Woodard and Dr. Cicely Woodard, authors of Keeping the Stars Aligned: A Christian Couple’s Guide to Raising Morale in Relationships (2014).
