Is there a recipe for a long-lasting relationship? Possibly not, but recent research has revealed that some ingredients are more likely than others to produce long-term happiness. The survey, of some 4,000 couples, showed that that two dinner dates a month, four cuddles a day and a romantic getaway twice a year are optimum levels of quality time together for a successful relationship. Other recipes for a romantic relationship include a trip to the theatre or cinema once a month, breakfast in bed once every four weeks and six proper conversations every month.
Britons forget the importance of a cuddle
But these weren’t the only interesting statistics revealed by the survey. Others included the fact that the average British couple has one visit to the pub, one cinema trip and two romantic strolls each month. Couples who cuddle the most often were found to have the longest-lasting relationships and described themselves as the most happy. On the more negative side, it seems that Britons often forget how important hugs are, with couples being more affectionate during courting and their early years together and cuddling less as they grow older because “familiarity breeds contempt”.
“Affection, cuddles and romantic gestures are part of a whole romantic scene which is desired by those entering a relationship, “said Dr Ludwig F Lowenstein, an educational psychologist who helped conduct the study. “They are the safe gestures which say – ‘I like you, I am glad to be with you, I like and appreciate your support and care. In this busy world we often take our partners for granted whilst we get on with our daily struggles of work and rearing a family.”