Maintaining a marriage or a romantic relationship is not an easy task. We get so busy in our daily lives that there’s not much time left. We work to earn money and to provide ourselves with better lives. Completing required daily tasks and facing the stresses of urban life can be boring and dull. It can extinguish the spark in any marriage or relationship.
City life is so hectic it leaves little time for quality time together and communication with with each other. This lifestyle takes a heavy toll on relationships. But each penny you earn and every dream you chase will be in vain if you’re unhappy.
My husband and I decided to address this by traveling more. This gave us added time and increased the understanding we have for each other, which strengthened our relationship. Now we make it a priority to go on frequent trips together. I personally guarantee from our experiences that travel is definitely therapeutic. It brought us closer together and strengthened our bonds.
Here are eight amazing ways that traveling together can strengthen relationships.
- It develops mutual trust. Trust is key in any relationship. The more you travel with your partner, the more mutual trust you will develop. Travel will place you in situations in which you will need to put your complete trust in each other. There will be decision-making situations in which you will have to keep faith and rely on each other. Traveling will help teach you how to fully trust each other.
- It allows you to spend more time together. When you’re at home, you don’t get to spend much time with each other due to work, a busy schedule, or too much screen time. But when you travel, all the time will be yours. You’ll be able to dedicate all of your time to each other. You can choose to spend your time together exploring beautiful places, eating out, and relaxing.
And you can take the time to enjoy doing small activities together. It’s not important to have constant grand celebrations to strengthen your relationship. There are wonderful little things a couple can do while traveling. Take an early morning walk together on a beach or through a park. Go out for coffee or tea. Have fun taking selfies in exotic locations. Cherish the small moments.
- It increases romance and intimacy. Traveling together to explore new places helps you refresh your mind and set your work life aside. This brings you closer together, which will improve your intimacy with each other.
Couples who often travel together are happier than the ones who lead regular hectic city lives. Intimacy and romance are essential factors in happy relationships.
- It improves communication. As you spend more quality time together, communication increases. You can take the time to discuss life plans, goals, and so on. Many people in relationships don’t understand each other’s needs simply because don’t communicate them well. In any relationship, communication is about making verbal and emotional connections.
- Travel teaches patience. Not every person possesses the positive trait of “patience.” When you travel with your partner, each of you will have different opinions, and different likes and dislikes. Having patience with your partner will help strengthen your love for each other, while impatience can ruin the moment.
- It helps you discover and respect your partner’s limitations. You and your partner will discover each other’s strengths and weakness while traveling together. So try to complement each other and treat each other with respect.
So if your partner is not comfortable doing something because they’re scared, tell them that’s okay. There are lots of other activities you could do. Encourage your partner, support them, and make them feel safe. Say things like, “Don’t be scared,” “I’m right here with you,” “It’s okay if you’re not comfortable,” or We can find something else to enjoy.”
- It teaches you how to mentally and emotionally support each other. Traveling involves stepping outside your comfort zones. Often, you can’t be sure of a situation. When you’re traveling together, you need to be there for each other in both good times and bad.
If your partner becomes ill, don’t leave them behind in the hotel room and go out exploring by yourself. Instead, choose to stay there at your partner’s side.
- It gives you time to share stories and secrets with each other. Everyone has funny stories and “dirty little secrets.” Share your amusing stories from your experiences in your high school or college days while you relax at the beach or in your hotel room. Talk about the crazy things you did with your friends on a previous trip. This is a great way to get to know each other better.
You can also share and do your own crazy, fun things when you travel, because you will have lots of time as well as ultimate freedom from your hectic daily lives.
Relationships require commitment, respect, care, and love. That’s a long list! But traveling together will allow you to take the time you need to build the relationship. It will also give you a lifetime’s worth of moments to remembers. Travel teaches couples many things that are helpful to maintain the relationship for the long run.