5 Reasons Travel is Great for Your Marriage
Life can bring unexpected challenges to a couple’s relationship. Between the hustle of married life, careers, and parenting, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. These feelings of being swamped can lead to isolation, which creates a breeding ground for negativity. That’s why it’s super important to keep our focus on the most valuable gift we have – each other!
For couples with children, one of the most valuable gifts the parents can give their young ones is a healthy and thriving marriage. Unfortunately, many parents get so engrossed in other aspects of life, even overly focused on their children’s lives, that they barely find time to connect and bond with each other.
This is why getting away together can restore so much that has been covered up by stress and busy schedules. While not a magic pill for deeper issues, traveling together can be a tool to not only restore but also uncover something new and exciting within each other!
Taking this time can fortify your relationship with each other, which will, in turn, fortify the family bond back home with children. Stepping away from the “busyness” of life, including time away from your children, is vital for any relationship!
We wanted this to be a quick but impactful read, so we sat down and thought about five things our relationship gains from traveling together.
Jessica is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Texas.
5 Reasons Travel is Great for Your Marriage
1. Rediscover Each Other
With the weight of jobs, stress, and parental duties, couples can sometimes lose sight of what brought them together in the first place. They can also lose their identity as a couple, especially those with kids.
This is why, sadly, I see many couples divorce after their kids leave the nest. Parenting is only a season of your life together. Finding your identity as a couple means rediscovering what will be left of “us” when you are empty-nesters. Traveling alone with your partner creates a fresh opportunity to escape the monotony and focus solely on each other in a unique and adventurous way.
2. Thrive on Shared Adventures and Memories
Shared adventures can weave a strong bond between two people. From exploring stunning places to immersing in different cultures, couples can forge memories that will last a lifetime. Memories cannot be taken away from us. In our last days, what memories do we want to look back on?
Traveling together provides beautiful and fun memories that only the two of you share, together. As couples grow old together, they look back on their lives and evaluate what was most important. Certainly, experiences and relationships are what we will feel most grateful for!
3. Embrace Spontaneity and Unpredictability
Every journey to new places comes with a touch of unpredictability – and that’s part of the thrill, so embrace it! Whether experiencing unexpected wait times in customs at the airport, a sudden change in itinerary, or getting lost in a new city, what can seem stressful at the time all comes with the territory of traveling. It’s how you respond to these things that matter!
The experiences, the conversations, and the laughs you will have during some of these crazier moments could one day be cherished even more than the sights you see.
4. Ignite the Spark of Romance
Romance is a key part of a healthy relationship, and getting away from daily life distractions can reignite passion and strengthen emotional bonds. Imagine being together in romantic scenery like a fairy tale village, a sweeping beach, or majestic mountains. There is not much that could come between you when you are swept away in such beautiful environments, so take full advantage of that time!
5. Strengthen Communication Skills
Relationship ruts often stem from poor communication. Navigating new places and adventures together demands effective communication, and traveling provides a fun and adventurous way to practice and improve this vital skill!
Traveling naturally brings many opportunities for solving problems, discussing and deciding on itineraries, or even expressing openly to each other your wants and needs. No couple is perfect, and communication is one area that always has room for growth and improvement.
Conclusion
All relationships at times drift amidst life’s challenges. If this applies to your relationship with a spouse or significant other then don’t panic! These things are pretty typical! It takes intentional effort to keep a relationship in a healthy place, and while traveling together is not a magic pill to solve serious relationship issues, travel can serve as a great tool to revive a relationship that may have grown distant or stale.
Whether traveling near or far, you may be surprised at what a little adventure can do for a relationship!
