Relationship partners often establish routines that define their day-to-day, week-by-week interactions.New research found that self-expanding vacations predicted higher post-vacation relationship quality.
Does a getaway sound appealing? A week away could be just the escape we all need from the day-to-day drudgery. Think of the possibilities: You could sleep in, take a break from your commute, or forgo cooking for a few days; you might try snowboarding, see a stunning vista, indulge in fine cuisine, or soak some sun. No matter the destination, the goal is generally the same: Restoration and revitalization.
Yet, routines can also quietly become problematic. If we don't keep them in check, routines can become so entrenched that they strip away novelty from daily life. Partners who once sparkled in each others' presence can find it difficult to maintain passion when routines define their every interaction. Habituation makes for dullness and dullness tends to make unhappy relationships.