Research has shown that the strongest romantic relationships double as bonafide friendships. Two people are best able to grow together when they’re constantly enjoying themselves in each other’s company. If you’re hoping to keep your own relationship as strong as possible, then you should start by planning fun activities together. Nothing builds bonds like shared experiences. You’ll also benefit from keeping your relationship fresh and exciting.
Sure, spending hours on the couch with your partner can be relaxing, but an ideal relationship involves a whole lot more. Take your romance to the next level by giving some of these awesome activities a shot. After a while, these new pastimes will act like glue, holding the two of you together in your shared love of recreation.
Hiking
If you and your partner are both lovers of the outdoors, then you’re sure to enjoy hitting the trails. Hiking is the perfect activity for two people. Hiking alone can make you feel lonely, while large groups can ruin the intimate connection with nature. When it’s just you and your partner, you’ll be able to appreciate both the love of the great outdoors and the affection you feel for each other.
The great thing about hiking is that you can do it in almost any part of the world. Even if you don’t live on the outskirts of a national park, you can probably find some sort of trail in your region. Walking outside will give you an up-close look at the local flora and fauna, enhancing your connection with the local area. Once you’ve mastered the nearby trails, you can branch out and start planning hiking adventures farther afield.
Camping
If you want to take your love of the outdoors to the next level, then you should consider camping. Sleeping out in the fresh air is an awe-inspiring experience, making you feel like you’re truly a part of the natural environment. Something about waking up in the early morning with the dew still fresh on the ground inspires newfound appreciation of the world’s splendor.
There’s also something inherently romantic about sleeping in a tent. The nights are often cool, forcing you to cuddle up like you rarely do back at home. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy other classic camping activities together, from toasting marshmallows to signing campfire songs. At the end of the trip, you’ll likely feel closer to each other than you ever had before.
International Travel
If you really want to get adventurous and see the world, then it’s time to break out the passports and hit the road (or the skies, more likely). International travel allows you to immerse yourselves in the beauty and splendor of foreign landscapes, cuisines, and cultures. Overcoming the challenges of foreign customs while appreciating the distinctive feel of new cultural norms will broaden your horizons and shake up your worldview. There’s no better way to have such an experience than with your partner by your side.
A trip abroad with a loved one will likely become a defining point in your life. You’ll never forget those afternoons in foreign parks or the nights trying exotic new dishes. These memories will tie you together long after you’ve returned from your trip. Once you’re back home, you’ll relish the bonds forged by your past experiences, and you probably won’t wait long before you start planning your next trip.
Walking Or Jogging
While exciting adventures are certainly important in relationships, you also need a retinue of cheaper, easier partner activities that will keep you connected on a daily basis. Walking or jogging together is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while talking about your days. Not only will this time together strengthen the bonds of your love, but it will also cut down on stress and make you more relaxed in each other’s presence.
Don’t let differing degrees of fitness keep you from exercising together. The idea isn’t to win the Boston Marathon, and one partner can always keep going after the other decides to call it quits. The objective is simply to spend quality time together doing something that is beneficial to both of you.
Gardening
If you want to enjoy each other’s company in the quiet, intimate setting of your own yard, then you couldn’t go wrong by gardening together. Planting vegetables, flowers, and other plants is an inherently nurturing act. It inspires a tranquility and gentleness inside of you that will certainly prove beneficial in your relationship. Before you know it, the two of you will be looking forward every day to your hour of gardening in the evening.
Another benefit of gardening is that it’s a productive activity that results in a tangible outcome. You and your partner will have to collaborate on a shared endeavor. This cooperation on a project that is recreational rather than professional or financial will teach you how to work together on the more important issues, as well. As your flowers blossom and your vegetables grow, you’ll have the pleasure of realizing the two of you have created something beautiful together. In a sense, partner gardening is a metaphor for building a family.
Volunteering
Studies prove that helping others can make you a happier, more satisfied person. If you and your partner volunteer together, then you’ll bring these psychological benefits into the relationship.
There are all sorts of volunteering options out there, so you should have no trouble finding an opportunity that matches your interests or capabilities. Whether you’re distributing food or caring for stray animals, the important thing is that you and your partner are out there together.
Couples that have fun together generally stay together. Getting out there and having a good time is key to the long term success of the relationship. If you’re looking for new and exciting ways to have fun with your significant other, consider giving these six activities a shot. Or, if you are having trouble with your relationship you might consider consulting a SEXPERT to get some great advice on how to spice things up.