AI Generated Image
Want a happier marriage? Study suggests one simple habit
Phys.org • • health
Key Points:
- A BYU study published in Family Relations found that couples who exercise together report better communication, stronger conflict resolution, and lower marital stress compared to those who do not exercise together.
- Researchers analyzed data from nearly 1,700 young married couples in the nationally representative CREATE study, finding that shared physical activity had a stronger positive impact on relationships than individual exercise.
- About 60% of couples exercised, but only a third did so together; exercising jointly, especially activities like walking, provided natural opportunities for communication and emotional support.
- Couples who exercised together reported better listening skills and greater feelings of being heard, which likely contributed to healthier communication and conflict resolution.
- While shared exercise is not a cure for all relationship challenges, it offers a consistent, meaningful way for couples to connect amid busy lives and parenting responsibilities.
