Couples psychologist, Mark Travers, Ph.D., writes that if couples really want to be happy, they don’t have to search far for happiness. As the chief psychologist at Awake Therapy, he’s at the forefront of online psychotherapy, counseling, and coaching. He has spent his life helping people improve their relationships. Dawn Michelle Travers, PhD, has been leading research around intimate relationship dynamics and intersectionality.
As Travers explains in the third segment of our interview, most couples can renew their spark through easy-to-do activities that don’t necessarily cost anything. He makes the case that achieving fun is easier than you think. Plan a monthly game night, go for a Sunday stroll, or binge-watch your favorite show together. These small, shared experiences foster intimacy and create lasting memories.
Travers believes that maintaining the spark in a relationship often requires revisiting the playful dynamics that characterized the early stages of courtship. Talk, dream, and play with your spouse — make that a priority! Carry on in all the childlike and flirty ways you did when you first fell in love! This strategy goes a long way toward improving communication and creating a spirit of adventure that can reenergize any partnership.
One of the most important parts of this work is Travers’ advocacy for what he calls “micro-adventures.” Science proves that these subtle yet simple adventures can lead to big happiness for partners. These micro-adventures can be anything from a staycation, an overnight trip to a nearby attraction, or just exploring a new local coffee shop together. It’s learning that telling their friends about those experiences can be just as powerful as booking them on elaborate vacations.
No small thing to overlook, nostalgia was found to play a major factor in how couples perceive their relationship. So many people love the first few years of their relationship. What you can’t erase is the same creativity, boldness and spontaneity that characterized that exhilarating period. Through micro-adventures and other low-cost fun, couples can find ways to relive some of that excitement without breaking the bank.
Awake Therapy’s mission reflects this belief. That’s why we’re committed to making mental health resources available to all couples, equipping them to work through growing pains in their relationships. The company’s remote services allow individuals to seek guidance from the comfort of their homes, fostering an environment where they can explore their feelings and reconnect with their partners.
Travers emphasizes further that many of the most impactful actions just don’t need the big bucks spent. Rather, they are built on the foundations of shared experiences and emotional connection. He encourages couples to explore their local environments, seek out new experiences together, and engage in conversations that deepen their understanding of each other.