Taking two holidays a year, having a meaningful conversation twice a week and cuddling 11 times in a fortnight are key to a happy marriage, it was revealed this month.
Relationships on Female First
With marriage front of mind for many women in the run up to 29 February’s traditional leap year proposals, a study of 2000 happily married couples by Headwater has identified the main ingredients for a successful future together.
The walking holiday specialist’s research shows that husband and wife benefit from taking a short break away together twice a year and eat out in restaurants at least three times a month. However, it doesn’t need to be sweetness and light the whole time as the average happy couple has at least one healthy argument a week.
Headwater’s MD Catherine Crone said: "The research indicates what the happily marrieds amongst us have learnt over the years - that marriage is all about give and take, resolving anything that may be bothering you and making time for one another."
Taking time out from the daily routine is also fundamental to long term happiness. For those people who go on two holidays a year, 55% claim they are more likely to make time for each other on while away than at any other time of the year.
Of those polled 47% said they were friends with a partner before they became an item and eventually married, which may explain why 58% say they like to go away because on each occasion they are reminded why they love each other so much.
Back home, marital harmony comes down to the delicate balance of quality time together and time with friends. In contrast to their usual evenings spent fighting over the remote control, happily married couples tend to make time for at least five movie nights at home plus drinks at the pub together three times a month.
However, the survey also indicates that there will be nights out twice a month with friends instead of their other half.
The Headwater spokeswoman continues: "Sometimes stepping back from the daily routine can do couples the world of good."
"Holidays are a great chance to be reminded how to have fun together and spending time together away from the usual distractions of home can reignite the spark that made them fall in love in the first place.
"Knowing these results, perhaps now more than ever it’s important for couples to see these shared moments as a fun way to invest in their relationship and weather-proof their marriage."
Breakdown Of Results
Holidays - 2 a year
Short breaks - 2 a year
Say 'I love you' - 9 times a fortnight
Kiss - 6 times a week
Cuddle - 11 times a fortnight
Have sex - 2 times a week
Deep and meaningful conversation - 2 times a week
Dinner out - 3 times a month
Drinks out - 3 times a month
Healthy argument - 1 a week
Lads / Lasses night out without partner - 2 times a month
Surprise romantic gesture - 3 times a month
Movie night at home - 5 times a month
Five Tips For Marital Success
Make quality time for each other - 50%
Share the household chores equally - 35%
Know when to say sorry - 33%
Turn a blind eye to irritating habits - 21%
Don’t go to bed on an argument - 20%