The Marital Benefits of Daily Walks

When working with couples who want to restore closeness, I often suggest taking daily walks together.  This may seem overly simplistic, and some may be skeptical.  If so, my response is usually, “We’re going to start with something simple and achievable.”

Walking requires no special skill, equipment, or membership.  Its simplicity is its strength.  Couples might say, “It’s too simple, it won’t make a difference.”  My response: “What if we discover that the two of you cannot do even the simplest thing together, like going for a walk?  Are you willing to find out?”  These questions usually bring a moment of stunned silence... and eventual cooperation.

The first challenge is often finding the time.  Jobs, kids, and commitments can quickly fill most of the day.  Couples who intentionally prioritize other activities over being together will probably begin to see their relationship wither.  Being willing to adjust routines signals to your spouse, “You are the most important thing to me.”  Remember, a neglected garden quickly fills with weeds.

Physical exercise benefits mental health, but walking together does much more: it strengthens connection, fosters communication, and increases intimacy.  The type of walks I recommend are not power walks; they’re leisurely strolls where meaningful conversations can happen.  Remember, you’re not training for a marathon; you’re cultivating closeness.

Consider the prompt, “Tell me about why you decided to get married.”  Their responses are often something like, “A desire to face life’s challenges together.”  But life often pulls couples in different directions.  Daily walks create a predictable relational framework for staying connected.  Walking side-by-side makes conversations easier and silence more comfortable.  Small gestures, like holding hands, reinforce intimacy in ways words cannot.

No kids are allowed to accompany you because they'll distract you from each other; let someone babysit.  If that’s not possible, then there’s a problem.  Counselors tend to believe that every couple needs an adequate support system.  (Pro tip: Churches may provide a ready-made support system.)

I’m not sure how common it is today, but years ago, many first dates were probably walks.  That quiet, intimate stroll may have been the first step that brought together some couples that you know.  Choose a pleasant, safe route, stay off phones, and enjoy the simplicity of just being together.  Will this alone fix your marriage?  Probably not, but it can be a very effective place to start.