Fact: Regular date nights strengthen marriages.
· One study found that married couples who went out monthly were significantly less likely to split up.
· ***Interestingly this study found that this did not apply to cohabitating couples.
· Provides opportunity for distraction free communication to deepen relationship.
· “Couples who engage in novel activities that are fun….enjoy higher levels of relationship quality…”
· Can strengthen a couple’s commitment to one another
· Breaks-up the mundane tasks of everyday life and gives couples something to look forward to together.
Why It Matters: About 39% of marriages end in divorce. While this is lower than years past (which is great news), marriages are hard work and need to be tended to.
What You Can Do:
· Plan out dates in advance, set aside a regular night (for example every second Friday).
· There are several resources for cheap or free date ideas, no excuses!
· If you can’t get a sitter, have an at home date; movie on the porch, sample fine chocolates, dance in the living room, be creative!
· Trade babysitting with another couple, no cost to you and you still get to go-out.
· If your spouse is not initiating the regular dates, take that role and make them happen.
