- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- moms today articles
- moms today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Physically Fit Marriage
Couples That Play Together, Stay Together By Johnathon Allen
Being physically fit goes a long way toward living a long and healthy life. Those familiar with the confident euphoria that comes from running a 10K race or skiing down a 4,000-foot mountain don't need to be reminded about how an active lifestyle contributes to their overall sense of well-being. But serious athletes and weekend warriors often overlook how much training with their "significant other" can positively affect their relationship.
"Working out together is one of the very best things a couple can do to ensure a long, vibrant and sexually satisfying relationship," says Stephen Braveman, a Monterey, Calif., family counselor and certified sex therapist. "Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins in the brain, giving athletes a naturally 'high' sensation and greatly reduces residual body stress. It also makes a person feel more present and productive. In a relationship, this translates into less arguing, more self-confidence and more equitable balance between partners. People who exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water tend to feel empowered and naturally attractive. When both partners are actualizing this sort of lifestyle they help draw out the best in each other and thereby increase their sense of satisfaction and attainment with the relationship."
Sharing your favorite sport can strengthen your relationship, Braveman says. "Couples can enjoy different ways of interacting when they're involved in the same sport, and it offers a great way for them to share quality one-on-one time that isn't centered around work or home life."
Exercise is such a major part of triathlete Tim Turk's life that the Ashland, Ore., resident says he couldn't be in a relationship with someone who doesn't understand it. "Luckily, my wife, Janet, loves to train with me," he says. "We often run or swim together in the morning. It's usually the best time we share all day. We always walk away feeling closer and more energized. Our mutual passion for being physically in tune is what keeps us feeling grounded."
