Taking a vacation can work wonders for a couple's relationship.
By Anne Crowley and Johanna Lyman and Dorree Lynn — Written on Mar 02, 2018
Everybody needs a little time away for some R&R.
Taking a vacation and time off to travel has benefits for everyone: It opens our minds to new thoughts and allows us to unplug and step into an experience far more relaxing and pleasing to the senses than the everyday hustle and bustle of our daily lives.
For couples and families, time spent traveling is a particularly special time for reconnection and intimacy — that can improve your relationship, too.
Need more convincing? Here are the top 8 relationship benefits of a great vacation that prove you should take a trip together — and soon!:
1. Better sex.
Relationships take attention and care, which are often sacrificed during daily life. Traveling as a couple encourages spontaneity, experimentation, and relaxation. Three critical components to sexual satisfaction, and together they can add an infusion of zest into a sagging sex life.
2. Distraction-free connection.
When you vacation together, you have time to really talk, not just report about work and family issues. You reconnect with the energy that drew you to each other in the first place and have a chance to fall in love all over again.
3. More fun!
Often as adults, we're so tied to our responsibilities that we forget to take some time to stop and enjoy life. Travel and vacationing offers the freedom to play, laugh, connect, be silly and otherwise tap into those parts of yourself that are neglected when you're busy being "responsible" in your real life.
4. Better problem-solving.
Traveling encourages you to relax. A relaxed mind is capable of better problem solving, greater awareness and more open-minded thinking — all of which go a long way toward having a more manageable life and healthier relationship.
5. "Distance makes the heart grow fonder."
Traveling allows you to forget so you can remember. As you step away from your usual routine — and the people involved in it — you begin to miss and remember the things you love about your home, job, friends and family, and you reconnect with your desires to be around them.
This can inspire you to return home with renewed energy for the life you've created.
6. Open minds lead to open hearts.
Travel opens you up to greater learning and compassion. By visiting foreign countries, practicing different languages and seeing new landscapes, your world becomes a much more robust place. Travel nourishes the soul when it's done right, so prepare yourself with good planning.
7. Parents need time-outs, too.
Traveling without your kids is not only OK, it's encouraged from time to time. By taking time away from your kids, they get to connect with other adults who love them and you get to reconnect with yourself outside of your parenting role.
Being a parent is such an incredible experience, that it's hard to imagine "not" being a parent. If you can take even a few days to step away and recharge, your relationship will be stronger for it.
8. "Me" time.
It's also OK to travel solo! You can recharge your batteries when you take time to yourself. You'll come back better-equipped to be a good parent and partner after putting yourself first for a change.
Many people find they've forgotten their own identity, strengths and challenges, as they settle into their coupledom. Traveling alone gives you the opportunity to learn, live and spread your wings.
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