Discover Yahoo! With Your Friends

Explore news, videos, and much more based on what your friends are reading and watching. Publish your own activity and retain full control.

To get started, first

YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Surprising ways to bond with your partner (that don't involve mud wrestling)

    By Erin Flaherty, Shine staff | Love + Sex – Thu, Apr 10, 2008 12:12 AM EDT



    Maybe mud wrestling or nude volleyball is a tad extreme (or depending on what kind of couple you are, the answer to all your problems!?), but life being as stressful as it is, blah, blah, blah, it helps to remember that relationships take as much work as everything else in your life. And if you're a hopeless romantic like me, you'll agree that it's worth it to put a little time and effort into keeping your ties with your loved one strong, right? Suuurrree...

    Clean house together
    No, really. A new study may say that married women have more housework than singles (and it even goes so far as to suggest this is the husband's fault!). Ouch. But instead of taking this information and seething, you can turn lemons into well, Pledge!? and devote a weekend or even an evening to clean together. Play your favorite music and make a date out of it. Not only do you feel you're both pitching in an equal amount of work, the bonus is you get clean digs at the end of it.

    Form a book club of two
    If you really, absolutely, truly don't have time to read, then make time. Okay, okay, you could both pick a TV show to watch together. But keep in mind, a book provides the nuance of imagination, and therefore a lively discussion of your individual interpretations allows you to get to know each other better, whereas a TV show is usually pretty transparent. But you know, whatever floats your boat.

    Make a fitness date
    If the couple that plays together stays together, turn play time into an exercise routine that raises your endorphins and makes you both feel good about yourselves and each other. Find the gym too snoozy? Awhile back, we suggested tandem biking--there are sleek new models (bikes, not chicks) for sale that are both fun and provide a kickin' workout. And as cheesy as you might feel astride a bicycle built for two, you'll probably laugh your ass off no matter what.

    Start a new project
    Been meaning to re-tile the bathroom? Have thank you cards to send out? Approaching a procrastination-inducing task together makes it less intimidating, plus you can divide and conquer. And think about it: Making decisions and compromises about a more neutral situation--such as, what color to paint the living room--is great couples therapy practice for when the more serious judgment calls need to be made.

    Get out of here already
    It sounds so captain obvious, but no weekend ever seems to be the right one. Here's a tip: Go online, book some inexpensive last minute travel, and drop everything else to go enjoy some sweet, sweet time together. Check out our Last Minute Romantic Getaway Guide for more tips on how to get on this asap.

     

    16 comments

    • martuletta
      martuletta  •  4 years 1 month ago
      My parents do some of these activities that were written in the article. I think its great ideas. My parents pretty much restored our old house and now we moved into the new house and they are doing work to it. The best part we all doing it together. I think its a great way for couples to bond. Thank you writing this article!
    • nezra2
      nezra2  •  4 years 2 months ago
      That's all good, but what about when your husband is away (business related) more than he's home? There's so much for him to do when he IS home that we still have little time to 'bond.'
    • Beth
      Beth  •  4 years 2 months ago
      Well it's geared towards women but there are men who post and read as well.
    • Lucian
      Lucian  •  4 years 2 months ago
      is this place just fit for women?
    • lgarrison
      lgarrison  •  4 years 2 months ago
      bring back some odl fashion values ladies, he'll love it. When is the last time u cooked for him, gave a compliment, did something nice for him or make it easier on him in some way, used your sexual power
    • Tae
      Tae  •  4 years 2 months ago
      Thanks, I think I will try to run some of these by my Fiance and see how he feels about them. I think that they are great!
    • ALLISON
      ALLISON  •  4 years 1 month ago
      This article is as transparent as the TV shows it mocks. Are people really this freaking dull and unable to solve their own problems that they could not come up with these ideas all by themselves? It seems like people are truly sheep, with a few writers spouting the same solutions with minor variations.

      And as far as picking up and just taking off, what a bunch of horse pooh. I did not behave that irresponisibly at 21, let alone once I had kids, a house, pets, and dual careers to contend with. I need to bond so I run away from life and what interfers with it? People need to learn to manage life and, most importantly, our response to it.
    • JulieT
      JulieT  •  4 years 1 month ago
      I really like the suggestions of projects and working out. My husband and I laid a brick sidewalk together and did some carpentry projects together. And we go to the gym together some now which is fun because we can compete in a healthy way, we seem to have real fun and get along better when we work together like that.
    • A Yahoo! User  •  4 years 2 months ago
      My boyfriend and I are wannabe film buffs so for quality bonding time we rent a classic and then discuss the film afterwards. I always find it interesting to hear his "male" point of view as opposed to my "female" one.
    • Nina
      Nina  •  4 years 2 months ago
      Try to remember when you and your dearling felt most connected. It must have been a moment when your eyes met deeply, when your laughter was sincere, when you felt lucky to be alive and together...You must admit that those moments are rare, and cannot be planned or influenced.The key is to open your self, always give, give, give...emotions, laughs, glazes. Be spontanious and broad minded. Smile and shine. Bond will be made if the pair of you are ment to recognize it. If not, nothing will do...
    • luann g
      luann g  •  4 years 2 months ago
      hi all nice to read what you feel and thing. note to Nezra2 g/f i do not know how long you been married but you better put a stop to it fast. or you well end up like me. we been married 35 yrs and that work over do killed our love. and now i am fileing for a divorce. sit him down g/f and work on it or you well end up like me. luann
    • MTakatifu
      MTakatifu  •  4 years 2 months ago
      From the real pictures that i have seen and more explanation, it encourage me to continue to learn more and to search more information.
    • Sarah
      Sarah  •  4 years 2 months ago
      I think this article has good intentions, but personally, all the points except for the last one is cheesy! I agree that a little inexpensive trip is great...but working out together? I like to sweat by myself when it comes to working out. How about help your honey out with something he's stressed about so that he'll have some free time so you guys can veg out on the couch together...He'll be psyched by your thoughtfulness and will be more focused on you rather than worrying about things that need done later.
    • Beth
      Beth  •  4 years 2 months ago
      Those are some great suggestions....now if only he would agree to do them with me and not complain lol. What do you do about a guy who can't even take a nice walk without complaining?
    • JanetE
      JanetE  •  3 years 10 months ago
      My husband and I are high school sweethearts and have been together for 16 years (married 12yrs). We have two kids 14 & 7 and we have never gone away on a real trip without the kids. I'd love to have a real honeymoon but money is really tight right now. Any suggestions on getaways on a budget?? We live in Jersey City, NJ.
    • A Yahoo! User  •  4 years 2 months ago
      me and my husband find that if you have sex outside the marriage for fun it makes our sex great
     Post a comment

    Beauty »

    At Home »

    The Thread »

    At Home »

    Join us on Pinterest

    Shine on

    DAILY SHOT VIDEO

    We apologize. An error has occurred. Please try again.