Mark Travers, a psychologist specializing in relationship-building, highlights these weekend events as critical spending investments. These rich, novel experiences, he contends, are what keep couples connected and thriving. As the chief psychologist of Awake Therapy, he provides online psychotherapy, counseling, and coaching services in addition to his individual and group programs. He’s found that the happiest couples spend time during their weekends doing the little practices that most people tend to miss.
According to Travers, weekends provide married couples a space where they can focus and renew their connection with each other. They can truly recharge from the week and invest quality time in each other. As he explains, too many couples don’t take advantage of this moment, resulting in lost opportunities to experience a greater sense of connection.
Most people believe less strongly than they should about the power of intentional, quality time together. Travers said. And too easily do they lapse into rote patterns that can allow for emotional detachment. This is especially the case on weekends when they need to be attentive to their marriage.
He recommends couples focus on just five simple, fun-to-do things, each of which has been shown to greatly boost their relational joy. When practiced as a pair, these calming activities can free partners to rekindle intimacy and creativity and awaken their love life once more.
The first among these practices is candid communication. It’s very important for couples to get into the practice of taking time to talk things through and hear each other out, free from distractions,” Travers stresses. This effort deepens empathy, while providing a protected space for each partner to share their needs.
Beyond communication, Travers recommends that couples look for shared hobbies or interests. Whether it’s cooking together, going for a hike, or participating in a creative project, shared activities can build teamwork and enjoyment.
The second equally important practice is setting limits and carving out personal time. Travers stresses that self-care has no place, if anywhere, in a relationship, but it is important to include it. He advises couples to honor one another’s need for solitude. Second, he asks them not to be afraid to speak their mind on what they require.
“I love you, but I need to love me for an hour or two. Let’s do it together,” Travers noted, reinforcing that individual well-being is crucial for a healthy partnership.
He draws attention to the importance of quality time with screens planned for it, without it. Given that we live in a culture saturated with virtual communication, it’s easy for couples to forget the importance of connecting in-person. He makes a strong case for putting away the technology and focusing deeply on each other when it’s time to connect.
Finally, he suggests that couples become conscientious about expressing gratitude and appreciation for each other. These small gestures of recognition help keep the feeling of goodwill strong and help each partner remember that they are all in this together.
Travers has worked with numerous couples at Awake Therapy and has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of these weekend practices. Together, he believes, couples can build a stronger foundation by making focused time with one another a priority. In challenging times, this practice creates a foundation for resilience and joy.