We all want to enjoy great sex lives, but sometimes it can be hard to find time to enjoy intimacy, especially when things like work and family responsibilities get in the way.
That’s why vacations are so important. In fact, a new study led by the US Travel Association found that couples who travel together have better relationships than couples who do not. And 75 percent of these vacation-takers reported having a fulfilling sex life (as opposed to 63 percent of non vacation-takers).
However, not all travel is created equal. In the US Travel study, these relationship-boosting benefits were noted among couples who traveled together without children. In other words, you might enjoy a lovely family trip to Disneyland with your kids, but such a trip is not going to boost your passion or deepen your intimacy.
Not only will you probably get limited alone time (if any) but you will be so hectic rushing from one site to the next and applying sunscreen to every area of your children’s skin that you won’t have a spare moment to focus on your relationship.
Studies like these help to validate the importance of alone time and couples-only travel, and personally, I have always been a big proponent of adult vacations. My husband and I regularly take vacations together, and even if it’s just for a day or two (or even a one night staycation at a downtown hotel), we always find it to be a great way to reconnect and refocus on one another.
Here are some of my favorite tips to help ensure that your couples-only vacation is a success:
- Don’t try to do it all. Make the goal of your vacation to be relaxation and intimacy. If you’re a big planner, you might be tempted to start making a list of all things you want to see and do while you are out of town, but if you do so, you might find that you simply bring all the stress and worries of your regular life with you. Instead, be spontaneous and relaxed…it’s okay to sleep in and miss the sunrise, especially if you haven’t been getting your fair share of zzz’s lately. It’s okay to skip the fancy “must go” restaurant if you’d rather grab some hot dogs and enjoy a stroll around town. Do what feels natural and fun for both of you, with no to-do list and no “shoulds” or “must.”
- Think affordable. A five-star resort in Mexico sounds ideal, but the truth is that a big price tag is no guarantee of a good time. If you are low on funds, then stay local and have a staycation at a nice hotel in your own city. Go see the sights like a tourist and enjoy lazy-day brunches or simply order in room service (you will find plenty of ways to work up your appetite!) Even just one or two nights can be worlds of wonder for your relationship, your sex life, and your mood.
- Bring a positive attitude. If you want to find romance and love on vacation, you have to bring that romance and love with you. Do so by keeping a positive frame of mind and staying present. In other words, instead of getting riled up because your partner missed the highway exit, focus on how handsome he looks or on how thoughtful it was of him to pick a restaurant he thought you might enjoy. Look for evidence that he is actually a wonderful, smart, sexy partner, instead of looking for evidence to prove the opposite…that does a disservice to both him and you, not to mention, it puts a dark cloud over your much-needed vacation.
The bottom line is that no matter where you go or what you do on your vacation, if you do it together, your relationship and your sex life will improve as a result. Grab that overnight bag and start planning!