As human beings, we all crave connection and companionship. Whether it's through a romantic relationship or a close friendship, having someone to share our lives with can bring immense joy and fulfilment. But as anyone who's been in a long-term relationship knows, maintaining a happy and healthy connection takes work.
Mental health experts and real-life couples alike agree that regular activities are key to keeping a relationship strong. From going on regular date nights to taking a weekly yoga class together, small habits can make a big difference in how we feel about our relationship and our partner.
But then many people wrote to me saying they face certain challenges to do regular activities. So let’s understand these via an expert and how to overcome them, before we proceed to why you need regular breaks with your partner.
Dr. Advait Mondal Singh, a 65-year old psychiatrist and relationship coach from Bhubaneswar, asserts, “Maintaining regular activities in a relationship can be a daunting task, especially when the clock ticks and the calendar pages flip faster than the fluttering of a thousand butterflies in a summer breeze. But obstacles, though formidable, are not insurmountable. The lack of time, the financial constraints, the disagreements, the stress, the fatigue, the lack of motivation, all these are but mere pebbles on the path of true love.
Sharing some Ideas on how to overcome challenges that you might face in doing things regularly as a couple
Now let’s check out some regular activities or Couple Rituals that you can do to spend quality hours together in less time:
Check out the Baely Ritual Builder tool to discover more ideas for activities that you can do with your partner. Also, sign up for a ritual, if you want us to send you a reminder and support along the way to help you stay on track.
Ramanna Bhatia, a 60-year old psychologist from Jaipur writes to me, “These are but a few examples, my dear, of the many ways in which you can nurture and strengthen the bond of love that you share with your partner. The most important thing is to find activities that both of you enjoy and commit to on a regular basis, for love, like a beautiful garden, needs constant tending to bloom and flourish.”
Moving on, let's look at "How Regular Activities will Ensure an Everlasting Love Among You Two”
1. Renewed Sense of Excitement
Dr. Jane Merchant Singh, a licensed clinical psychologist from Melbourne, believes that regular activities help to keep the spark alive in a relationship. "When couples engage in new and exciting activities together, it can bring a renewed sense of excitement and energy to the relationship," she says. "It's important to break out of the routine and try new things together to keep the relationship feeling fresh and alive."
Lena and David Robertson from Kerala, have been married for five years and have found that regular date nights have helped to keep their relationship strong. "We make sure to have a date night once a week, no matter what," says Lena. "It's a time for us to connect and talk about our week, without any distractions. It's something we both look forward to and it helps us to stay connected," adds the husband.
2. A Refreshing Support System
For many couples, regular activities serve as a support system for one another. "Having a shared activity or interest can give couples a sense of connection and support," says Dr. Jamal Khan, a mental health expert from Chennai, and family therapist. "It can be something as simple as going for a daily walk together or working on a DIY project together."
Radhika and Sumanth Gautam from New Delhi, have been together for eight years and have found that their shared love of hiking has been a major source of support for their relationship. "Hiking is something we both love and it's a great way for us to spend time together and bond," says Sumanth. "We always come back from a hike feeling refreshed and connected to each other. It doesn't always have to be things both of you like, showing interest in your partner's hobbies and vice-versa opens up so many more opportunities to do things together. Basically, it doesn't only have to be things that both of you like to do, it can also be sometimes yours, sometimes mine and sometimes both,” Radhika sums up.
3. Lending a Sense of Security about Each Other
Another way regular activities can benefit a relationship is by providing a sense of routine and structure. "Having a regular activity or ritual can help couples to establish a sense of security and stability in the relationship," says Dr. Jennifer White, a licensed clinical psychologist. "It can also serve as a way to check in with one another and make sure that both partners are on the same page."
For Tessa and Akbar from Hyderabad, a regular yoga class has provided a sense of structure and stability in their relationship. "Yoga has become a big part of our routine and it's a great way for us to connect and check in with one another," says Tessa. "It's also a great way for us to take care of our mental and physical health together," adds Akbar.
4. Shared Memories Make Better Bonds
Regular activities can also serve as a way to create shared memories and build a shared history. "Having shared experiences and memories can help to strengthen the emotional bond between partners," says Dr. Karen Miller, a licensed clinical psychologist from. "It can also serve as a way to create a shared history and a sense of belonging in the relationship."
For Kayra Singh and Sandeep Rathore, regular travel has been a great mental healer, away from mundane life. "We make sure to take multiple breaks together, be it vacations or just a full day around our city, if we have less time. Additionally, taking regular vacations/ breaks can help reduce stress and improve overall mental and physical well-being by creating several memories. These memories strengthen relationships, whether it's with family members, friends, or romantic partners, by providing an opportunity for quality time together. Furthermore, having a variety of positive and meaningful experiences to look back on can also contribute to a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life,” says Kayra. "It's also been a great way for us to explore new places and cultures together, which helps break the monotony of our work life," adds Sandeep.
5. Regular Communication Solves Life's Problems
In addition to the benefits outlined above, regular activities can also improve communication and problem-solving skills. "When couples engage in regular activities together, they are often required to communicate and problem-solve together," says Dr. Michael Singh, a licensed clinical psychologist from Kochi. "This can lead to improved communication and problem-solving skills in the relationship."
For Mark and Susan from Kolkata, regular volunteer work has helped them bond better. "Volunteering at NGOs for the under-privileged is something that we both feel strongly about. While solving problems for others, we realized how blessed we are and we began solving our life's issues in a better way. We also developed a better sense of gratitude towards each other," says Mark.
The TakeAways
Regular activities or Rituals play a pivotal role in maintaining a blissful and healthy relationship. They are the heartbeat of a happy and healthy relationship by providing a sense of stability, predictability, and shared memories and experiences, which can build trust, intimacy. Additionally, regular activities can help to strengthen communication and problem-solving skills and build a sense of teamwork and cooperation between partners.
So what's going to be your next activity with your partner?
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed within this interview are the personal opinions of the protagonist/protagonists. The facts & statistics, the work profile details of the protagonist/ protagonists do not reflect the views of Baely or the Journalist. Neither Baely nor the Journalist hold any responsibility or liability for the same.
