The science behind a happy relationship

The Science Behind a Happy Relationship Created by happify" THE SECRETS OF HAPPY COUPLES What do scientists know about people in happy relationships? A lot! 5:1 0.8:1 Happy couple ratio Couples who ultimately divorced Happy couples have 5 positive have just O.8 happy encounters for interactions for every negative one every one negative interaction The determining factor in whether couples feel satisfied with the sex, romance, and passion in their marriage is, by 70%: The quality of their FRIENDSHIP with each other 12 Happy Couples Talk More People in the most successful marriages spend 5 more hours a week being together and talking. Cuttivate Positive Jnteractions Every Day Нey gorgeous Aww.. Do something nice for them Give a Show your appreciation for Relive a fun compliment something big (or small) memory In the Bedroom More Sex = More Joy Make Time The Once-a-Week Boost for Intimacy The happiest couples have People are 55% more likely Having sex once a week sex 2 to 3 times a week to report higher levels of makes people 44% more happiness when they have likely to have positive sex every few days. feelings How Do You Respond to Triumphs? When it comes to strengthening your relationship, studies show that the most crucial factor is how you celebrate your partner's GOOD news Congratulations! They show enthusiasm Hon, I got promoted I'm so proud of you! Tell me all They ask questions about it They congratulate their partner They relive the experience with them In one study, people who did this 3x/day for 1 week increased their happiness and felt less depressed afterwards. Couples who have NEW experiences together report feeling more loving and supportive towards one another, and more satisfied with their marriages. Share an Experience Jogether Go for an Dine at a new Explore a place Cook Go to a evening walk restaurant in town you've never been together concert The Michelangelo Effect Couples in the happiest relationships bring out the best in each other. They help each other get closer to becoming their "ideal" selves. Remember the Time We Cracked Up Over In one study, couples who were asked to recall a moment that involved "shared laughter" reported being more satisfied in their relationship than those prompted to recall positive moments in their relationship. What's Your Fighting Style? When happy couples Unhappy couples tend fight, they tend to to do the following defuse the tension when they fight: Showing humor Criticize Expressing affection Show contempt 9 Roll their eyes Conceding on certain points their partner makes V Act defensively O Resort to name-calling Tune out MARRIAGE AND YOUR HAPPINESS Based on a 20-year British study, the people who are happiest with their marriages: 2009 Plus 2014 Have been married Don't have Have college The man's 5 years or less children degrees employed Marriage leads to a big happiness boost for 2 years, on average. After that, couples' happiness levels tend to return to what they were prior to the engagement Before marriage Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 $105,000 $308,780 RIP A happy marriage is worth an Experiencing the death of additional $105,000 a year in a spouse is like losing terms of life satisfaction. $308,780 a year. Why Get Married? American couples reveal why they got hitched: Love 93% Making a lifelong commitment 87% Companionship 81% Think Positive Having children Couples who can put a positive 59% spin on their marriage have a 94% chance of experiencing a Financial stability happy future together. 31% How De Kids Jmpact a Couple's Happiness? Immediately following the birth of Baby #1: 33% - 67% experience a big drop in marital satisfaction feel just as satisfied (or more satisfied) than before Congrats, Grad! 1st day of school Married couples are Couples' happiness levels unhappiest when kids increase again once the are in preschool. youngest kid has grown up Brought to you by happify" Build skills for a happier life with fun, science-based activities and games at Happify.com Sources Pew Research Center The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky The Myths of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky The Normal Bar by Pepper Schwartz and Chrisanna Northrup The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman Understanding Society Project / UK Economic and Social Research Council What Predicts Divorce: The Relationship Between Marital Processes and Marital Outcomes by John M. Gottman Drigotas, S.M. et al. (1999) Close partner as sculptor of the ideal self. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Gable. S.L. et al. (2004) VWhat do you do when things go right?: The intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits of sharing positive events. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Meltzer, A.L., Mcnulty, J.K., et al. (2013) Sex differences in the implications of partner physical attractiveness for the trajectory of marital satisfaction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Bazzini, D. G., Stack, E. P., Martinicin, P. D., & Davis, C. (2007). Remember when we...?": The effects of reminiscing about laughter on relationship satisfaction. Motivation and Emotion. www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/01/what-are-your-relationships-worth-in-dollars/