If you want to keep the spark alive in your love life, then laugh together and muse over it later, says social psychologist Doris Bazzini.
Washington, Jan 13 : If you want to keep the spark alive in your love life, then laugh together and muse over it later, says social psychologist Doris Bazzini.
Bazzini's research indicated that sharing a laugh with your romantic partner and reminiscing about it later helps keep relationships alive.
Bazzini is an award-winning faculty member and expert researcher who has taught at Appalachian State University since 1993.
"When you share a laugh with someone, there's a connection between the two of you," said Bazzini.
She added: "When you reminisce, you get to experience the laughter again, but you also get to reflect on it now - 'remember that time....' You can build on it more, and as a result, two things happen: we are defining our relationship in these positive terms, and we're validating ourselves at the same time."
When you share a laugh with your loved one, it can create a buffer in the relationship so that when arguments or misunderstandings arise, it does not have any negative effect on the relationship, she explained.
"In other words, we can bounce back more quickly," she said.
Bazzini has also researched on resisting temptation while in a committed relationship.
"One thing that came out of that study is that it's very flattering when someone other than your partner is interested in you," she said.
She added that while in a committed relationship, people are most likely to get flattered by the opposite sex if they are asked on a date.
"We found that when (our study participants who were in a committed relationship) were asked out on a date, they were intrigued. They were flattered. What I take from that is if you're in a committed relationship and want to remain so, you shouldn't let the flattery get the best of you. Flattery has a lot of potency," she said.
ANI