If you’re looking to put a pep in your relationship’s step, but tired of doing the same couple’s night, it might be time to think outside the box.
While a romantic dinner for two can cue the sound of seduction, a new study from the Personality and Social Psychology Conference 2015 found that couples who go on double dates feel closer and more satisfied in their relationships.
Looking at their relationships, researchers asked 150 couples to see how interactions with other romantic pairs affected their relationships.
The study found that when the couples chose to discuss details about their personal lives with another couple, they felt happier and more satisfied within their own relationships.
The feel-good factor increased even moreso when the other pairing offered positive re-enforcement to stories, offering sympathetic or understanding comments about a dispute or disagreement.
Study lead Keith Welker from the Department of Psychology at Wayne State University, said feedback and shared experiences helped a lot of couples feel validated in their partnerships, offering a positive comparison to what they sometimes view as negative emotions in their own relationships.
Want to boost your double date bond?
Welker suggests inviting another two over for a home-cooked dinner, as the intimate setting provides a more calming influence away from a busy restaurant.
H/T Women’s Health
