Just four cuddles a day can keep your marriage healthy, researchers claim.
Cosy nights in romantic gestures and making an effort to spend “quality time” together were also identified as the key to keeping love alive, reported the Glasgow Daily Record.
Quality time
The study suggested couples should have at least 22 periods of quality time together a month, with seven romantic nights in and two proper dinner dates.
Romantic gestures such as running a bath or a massage were appreciated every 10 days by the 4,000 married couples who took part in the poll.
Psychologist Dr Ludwig Lowenstein said: “Affection, cuddles and romantic gestures are part of a whole romantic scene which is desired by those entering a relationship.
“They are the safe gestures – like saying, ‘I like you, I am glad to be with you, I like and appreciate your support and care’.
“We often take our partners for granted as we get on with our daily struggles of work and rearing a family.
“We tend to forget the importance of hugs when familiarity becomes part of our lives. If affection, cuddles and romantic gestures become part of our relationship, the relationship will become strong and remain strong.”
The average happy couple in the survey enjoyed two romantic walks, one visit to the pub and one trip to the cinema every month. They ate dinner by candlelight three times a month, had a proper conversation six times a month and curled up in front of the television together seven times a month.
Twice a month, husband and wife showered each other with gifts such as flowers and chocolates. They enjoyed two short breaks in the UK and two long holidays abroad every year.
Booster shots
Dr Ludwig Lowenstein’s prescription for a healthy marriage:
- Cuddle: Four times a day
- Romantic gestures: Thrice a month
- Dinner dates: Twice a month
- Walks: Twice a month
- Gifts: Twice a month
- Home-cooked meals: Thrice a month
- Proper conversation: Six times a month
- Trip to the pub: Once a month
- House cleaning: Thrice a month
- Night out without each other: Once a month
- Watching movies: Once a month
- Holidaying: Twice a year
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