In a heartwarming union, young couples walk hand in hand on the path of life, but whether they can grow old together remains uncertain, as real-life often presents significant challenges. A recent study has found that engaging in physical activities together can strengthen marital relationships and lead to a happier marriage.
Brigham Young University in the United States pointed out that previous research has shown the benefits of exercise for both physical and mental health. Now, researchers at the university have conducted a study suggesting that exercise may also strengthen marriages, especially when couples do it together.
Published in the journal “Family Relations,” the study compared young couples who engage in physical activities together with those who do not. The findings revealed that couples who exercise together tend to have better communication, stronger conflict resolution skills, and fewer marital conflicts compared to those who do not participate in physical activities as a pair.
The researchers analyzed data from approximately 1,700 young couples participating in the Couple Relationships and Transition Experiences study, which tracked the marital status of newlyweds across the United States for a period of 10 years. By comparing the impact of individual exercise versus joint exercise on three relationship indicators (communication, conflict resolution, and marital conflicts), they found that exercising together showed a stronger correlation with healthier marital relationships.
Professor Jeremy Yorgason from the School of Family Life at the university stated, “About 60% of the couples in the sample reported engaging in exercise, but only around one-third exercised with their spouse. This suggests that approximately half of those who exercise do so without their partner. While the impact may not be substantial, it is consistent, leading me to believe that it is meaningfully affecting marital relationships.”
While other studies have shown benefits to couples spending leisure time together, this study specifically focused on engaging in physical activities as a unit. The researchers explained that exercising together can create opportunities for positive interactions and dialogue, thereby strengthening the marital bond over time.
One of the authors of the study, research personnel Ashlyn Hiatt Mildenhall, highlighted the significant impact of exercise on communication among the three relationship indicators. This is why walking emerged as the most common physical activity done jointly by the interviewed couples, providing a natural setting for communication.
This suggests that couples can reap benefits for their marriage through simple activities like walking, without the need for expensive gym memberships or complex workout equipment stored in the garage.
Additionally, couples who exercise together reported being better listeners to their partners and feeling a stronger sense of support from each other. These interactions may help explain why joint exercise is associated with healthier communication and conflict resolution methods.
The researchers cautioned that while exercising together can enhance marital relationships, it may not address all challenges within a marriage. For many young couples, especially those with children to raise, finding time to exercise together can be challenging.
However, the researchers noted that amid academic, life, and parenting stresses, exercising together is among the many healthy habits families can cultivate, creating regular opportunities to strengthen emotional bonds.
Apart from developing the habit of exercising together to benefit the marriage, experts have previously recommended two small habits that can enhance marital longevity: “ask instead of assuming” and “pause before responding.” These simple practices, when incorporated into the relationship, can contribute to its lasting resilience.