Science Says These 4 Traits Can Predict How Long Your Relationship Will Last
Every couple has arguments. But here's what the best couples have in common

November 18, 2016

The perfect pairs tend to have these things in common

Scientists and researchers have spent years studying happy couples to find out what exactly keeps them on the same page no matter what.

While there’s no foolproof guide to the best relationship, here are a few traits that tight couples seem to have in common:

1. THEY GET BUSY IN THE BEDROOM

It’s no secret there are a lot of benefits to getting it on with your partner.
An associate professor of sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder found that couples who reported having sex at least two to three times a month were 33 percent more likely to report a higher level of happiness than those who rarely strip down with their partner.

2. THEY’RE FRIENDS FIRST

It could easily be said that the key to a successful relationship is to start with a strong, balanced bond.

Researcher John Gottman found that couples who shared a deep, abiding friendship were also highly satisfied with their levels of sex, romance, and even passion.

3. THEY DON’T HAVE KIDS

Nobody said having children is easy.

But some experts will say that not having children can actually improve the quality of your relationship.

Researchers from the Council on Contemporary Families found that childless couples were the happiest—whether they were married or not.

That said, for couples who do have kids, working for companies with flexible parental leave policies is a huge plus, according to the research.

4. THEY SHARE SIMILAR DRINKING HABITS

One of you may be a wine connoisseur, while the other one is a craft beer buff.

Either way, researchers at Buffalo Research Institute found it’s not what you drink but how much you drink that influences your relationship’s happiness level.
Couples with mismatched drinking habits—i.e. one is a heavy drinker and the other is not—are more likely to break up compared to those who imbibe equally, researchers say.