So, my partner just left for a three-day work trip, and I have mixed feelings about it. Sure, I miss him, but let’s face it—there’s something kind of nice about having the remote all to myself! No interruptions while I indulge in my guilty pleasure, The Real Housewives of New York, without anyone questioning my choices. And let’s not even talk about the mountain of laundry I get to avoid!
Interestingly, it seems I’m not alone in enjoying a little distance. Researchers at Northwestern’s Family Institute discovered that couples who spend most of the week apart—often due to work—report being happier and healthier than those who share the same roof full-time. According to the Boston Globe, these long-distance pairs experience lower levels of depression, reduced fatigue, improved diets, and tend to exercise more frequently.
So, what’s the deal? According to Steve Parker, one of the study’s authors and a research fellow at Northwestern, couples who live apart often enjoy greater independence, allowing them to work out, socialize, and even catch some unrested z’s. Sounds good to me! Maybe I should think about kicking the kids out of my bed tonight, hitting the treadmill, and making some dinner plans with friends instead.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. While these couples might be thriving individually, they also deal with increased personal stress and more conflicts with their partners. The Globe points out that they’re having less sex (surprise, surprise!) and are slightly less engaged in “relationship maintenance” activities, like expressing love and sharing household chores.
These challenges could lead to heightened stress levels for long-distance spouses, said Parker, who hopes to use future research to address these issues. But as long as he waits until my show goes on hiatus, I’m on board with that!
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In summary, while living apart from your spouse might lead to some unexpected benefits, it can also bring its own set of challenges. So, whether you crave a little space or prefer to be close, it’s all about finding what works best for you!