Time Together Can Actually Help Marriages
Second, a wide array of research, including my own, has shown that spending a lot of time together actually builds bonds for most couples. My research for The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages found that “normal life” schedule craziness can often be dangerous for a relationship, because it prevents a couple from being together. Spouses need to be best friends, and that is largely built through time—whether that is through official date nights, mutual hobbies or just hanging out. And of course, this shutdown has given couples a lot of time together! I’ve conducted dozens of research interviews of married people since the pandemic hit and have heard two trends: yes, the fear and economic uncertainty of this season can put a deep strain on an already strained marriage—but it can also help knit it back together. Because once you’re closer, you’re more able to work through those things that might have been much harder when you were still living two separate lives.
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