Understanding People: Why Space in Relationships is a Good Thing

There's nothing like spending lots of quality time with your partner. But how much time is too much? How to Understand People is here to answer that question.

Though being attached at the hip may sound like it can be beneficial to the relationship, this couldn't be further from the truth.

Couples who spend inordinate amounts of time together are more likely to argue and go through bouts of boredom. The thing is that when you're around the same person all day, you're likely to get stuck in a routine; day in and day out, you hit up the same restaurants and shops, watch the same shows, and so on.

It's always good to keep the element of surprise alive and well in a relationship. Every once in a while, you should aim to inject the relationship with a healthy dose of spontaneity. Guys, surprise your lady by taking her to a new restaurant on the other side of town, or by planning a weekend getaway to a beautiful hotspot your wife occasionally brings up in conversation. Ladies, surprise your man by cooking a special dish just for him or surprising him with tickets to a concert or sporting event.

Both individuals should allow some space to miss each other. If your wife isn't always around, it gives you the opportunity to miss her and wonder what she's up to. Then, once you see her again, you'll actually have more to talk about. What's more, as human beings, we crave physical closeness. When you haven't seen your hours for a day, you look forward to hugging and kissing her, which may lead to fun under the sheets. As ironic as it may sound, a little space can actually heat things up in the intimacy department.

Here are just a few ways to create this "healthy distance":

Have a guys or girls night with close friends
Enjoy a good workout at the gym by yourself
Head to the library after work to catch up on some reading
Take a day to visit relatives you haven't seen in a while

Now, there's a fine line between creating a little space and spending too much time away from one another. If you find that you're going days without seeing your partner, that could indicate that something is amiss.

For other posts on understanding people and further insights into human behavior, click How to Understand People.

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