Psychologist Reveals Five Key Weekend Habits of the Happiest Couples

Couples in the most fulfilling relationships share five common weekend habits that help strengthen their bond, according to a psychologist who studies romantic partnerships and speaks from personal experience.

The psychologist, who also has a working spouse, emphasizes the importance of being intentional with weekend time. “My job as both a researcher and husband has taught me how important it is to be intentional about how my wife and I spend our time,” he states.

Monochrome photo of a couple holding hands | Source: Pexels

1. Putting Phones Away: Digital distractions can undermine quality time. Couples who disconnect from phones and laptops enjoy more meaningful interactions, regardless of the activity.

2. Practicing ‘Parallel Play’: Borrowed from child psychology, parallel play involves engaging in separate activities side by side. This approach offers personal space while maintaining emotional closeness — such as reading next to a partner playing video games.

3. Creating Rituals: Shared rituals, like Sunday pancakes or weekly planning sessions, provide stability and strengthen a couple’s identity. Research supports that rituals can help couples manage both routine and change.

Man and woman near a field | Source: Pexels

4. Scheduling Intimacy: With weekends often packed with chores, intimacy can be overlooked. Setting time for sex helps eliminate decision fatigue and reinforces connection, with studies showing a link between sexual satisfaction and overall relationship happiness.

5. Laughing Together: Playfulness enhances relationship satisfaction and reduces stress. Deliberately seeking joy — through games or silly challenges — can rekindle a couple’s shared sense of fun.