| Do Couples That Play Together, Stay Together? |
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| by Diet Detective Editorial Staff | |
| Wednesday, 05 July 2006 | |
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If you've ever gone for a long, challenging run or toughed it out in
the weight room with your significant other, you know that sweat can
bring you closer. But why? It turns out that when you exercise, you're getting the benefit of having your entire hormonal system aroused, explains University of Washington sociologist Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D. And if that endorphin rush feels great when you're alone, imagine what happens when you're both feeling it at the same time in the same place. "You'll experience a high and be wrapped in the glow of feeling that with each other," says Schwartz. Schwartz believes working out together can create strong connections within couples simply because "anything you do together that you both enjoy is bonding, because the more you have in common, the better it is for your relationship." More to the point, she notes, witnessing your mate's strength, self-discipline and athletic prowess can boost your admiration for him or her. If you're running, biking or hiking in the great outdoors, the scenery can be an aphrodisiac, nature's version of candles and silky sheets. On an outdoor adventure, notes Schwartz, "you have nature as your prop." Then again, if the two of you are in a gym surrounded by strangers, you may experience "a sense of comradeship, a sense of being a team-an us-against-them feeling that can also be very bonding," she explains. Taking on a fitness challenge together creates a perfect opportunity for close communication as well as satisfying silence. "You'll get quality time to talk and to pay attention to each other when you're awake and alert, as opposed to late at night when you're both exhausted," says Schwartz. "In our society, having hours just to talk when you feel like it is a huge gift." On the other hand, she points out, "at the gym you can also get these Zen moments of silence where you both feel very complete without having to say anything." One caveat: Not all couples are meant to be workout partners. If there's a great disparity in your size, shape or temperament, or if you simply don't exercise well together, don't push it. Some couples find they're too competitive to share any activity that brings out their killer instinct without regressing to a fifth grade phys ed class mentality. If that sounds like you and your partner, work out alone and feel good about it. You'll still get the blood pumping and the body glistening-and you can always meet up later for a shower. Bookmark:            Trackback(0)
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