Troy University researcher Linda Vanderbleek reports that, "Couples who exercise in tandem resolve conflicts faster and communicate better... The coordinated effort can also create more intimacy between couples."
Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, offers an explanation: "When people are in sync bodily, they feel a deeper connection."
Why?
Exercise increases the brain's output of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. In other words, it makes you feel really good.
That is followed by "transfer of affect." We unconsciously attribute that good feeling to the person we are exercising with. We like them a little better!
Because we like them better, we work harder on making the relationship work!
Oops, I gotta go. My wife is waiting on me to walk around the block with her.
March 9, 2010
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18 comments:
It hasn't worked for me yet. My boyfriend and I go play tennis all the time and for some reason always end up mad at eachother by the time we get done. Usually whenever we get home we have resolved the problems.
If I could get my husband to exercise with me that might work, but I will keep trying to work on that. Although I do think it works cause me and my brother workout together and it seems to be working for on that aspect.
My husband and I were really active when we first met and are hoping to start back up again! So, I agree with that to a point... but then the male always seems to loose the weight or tone (or buff) up so much faster that it starts to get frustrating. That seems to counter the chemical benefits.
I always hated working out with a male companion because I felt that they were watching me carefully and I am a very clutzy person. So dropping dumbells or using the machines wrong were a daily routine. but i did notice that i work out longer with a male than with a female...does that have something to do with the "feel good chemicals"?
Sarah Raunikar
Dr. G....
I wish I had known about this a year ago! My husband and I read numerous "save your marriage" books, went to counseling, temporarily separated, and even moved to a different state thinking we needed to "get away"!! If only we had hopped on our treadmills and jogged harmoniously in sync, we would have been together forever. On second thought, I would've probably waited until he wasn't looking and tripped him!!! (hehehe!)
Georgia Sparks
Gen. Psych- Musk. Campus
I totally believe this. Eventhough we have been married 25 years, we now work out and go to yoga classes together. I feel it also makes you spouse more attractive to you.
I used this as just one more reason my significant other should come with me. Besides the fact that I get bored alone, I also like to walk in the woods or out of the way places and being a woman it can be a little scary alone. It does give you time that the house doesn't. It's rare to find a moment without some kind of noise going on in the house working out or walking gives you a litle peace and quiet and that is always good to stay connected.
My boyfriend and I have worked out together for a while and we play basketball too. We always argue when we play and we argue about which technique is the best. I dont really think that it would save a marriage! Maybe it depends on who the people are and if they are competitive!
Dr. G,
I can see how this could help but with school, work and 2 kids we are doin good to get sleep. Plus im not sure my husband would even try it.
Kirstie Ray
Maybe my husband and I should try this solution! We've tried everything else and probably could use the time for some bonding. I have asked him before and he would love to work out with me but I'm too lazy!
I dont think that excerising together could save a marriage. I have tried it with a boyfriend and all we did was argue.
Dr. Grady,
My Fiance and I do a lot of things together but one thing we don't do enough of is exercise...We work cattle and clean fence rows and build cross fences and mow the yard together and I definitely believe that the more you do with your spouse the more in sync you become. When we first started dating we were totally different people, I from California and Him, born and raised here in Oklahoma. Doing all the things we have done together for the past several years has definitely made us closer than ever and even more so as we continue to grow as a couple. We will be sure to let you know the results of exercising if that ever becomes available.
I disagree because when i use to exercise with my ex girfriend we would argue while we were exercising because i hated it. I dont think couples should exercise together because in my past exeriences all it does is create tension especially when your outdoing them in the exercise
I have been trying to get my husband to work out with me since we've had our baby 8mos ago. Exercising by yourself is boring anyway. Maybe if I mention this to him it might encourage him to go walking/running with me more often.
Dr. Grady you sound like my parents going for walks around the block haha and both have happy marriages. Correlation? sounds like it.. I will try this method.
This is good! Exercising with your partner is a great thing!
I took a weightlifting class my senior year in high school, needless to say I was the only girl. I went to a relatively small school so we already knew each other but one friend of mine that was in the same class, we always fought over something it didn't matter but it would always be a yelling match. After one semester I have to say being around him was so much more pleasant I'm not sure if it was the endorphins or the hilarious competition of me slowly catching up to him with my bench press weight.
im not married yet but i will keep them in consideration! Colton Priest
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