Let’s be honest: Between soccer practices, work deadlines, school carpools, and folding laundry, it’s easy to feel more like business partners than romantic partners. But relationship research actually reveals some fascinating insights into what keeps couples ticking—and the answers might surprise you. Do couples really have less sex than singles? Does working out together actually move the needle?
Read on to find out. Better yet, cuddle up with your husband and check out the list together. Here are 13 interesting, quirky, and surprisingly encouraging facts about marriage.
1. Once-a-week sex is the norm in marriage.
If you’ve ever wondered if you’re “normal,” here is your answer: About half (49%) of all married couples reported having sex once a week or more between 2010 and 2024, according to the General Social Survey conducted by the University of Chicago. And as noted by the Institute for Family Studies, “Regular sex is linked to better health, higher quality marriages, and greater happiness.” So prioritize time with your husband–it’s good for both of you!
2. Married people have more sex than singles.
Forget the myth that getting a ring on your finger puts a halt to your sex life. GSS researchers found that married couples report greater sexual frequency than unmarried men and women. And according to this Institute for Family Studies survey, when couples put down their phones, their sex life and marital satisfaction increase: “[C]ouples with greater control over their phones are more likely to report more frequent sex.” Sounds like it could be a stat worth testing.
3. Couples who “date” are happier.
We know fitting in a date night can feel like scaling a mountain when you’re knee-deep in family life. But research consistently shows that regular one-on-one time builds a stronger, more resilient bond. (Need a fresh spin on date night? Try these five ways to reinvent your routine!)
4. Married couples who exercise together get closer.
When schedules are jammed, combining couple time with physical health is a game-changer. BYU researchers found that exercising together—even something as simple as taking a daily walk—releases shared endorphins and has a profoundly positive, connecting effect on marriage.
5. Simply thinking about affection helps.
Touch matters, but so does mindset. A study on affectionate touch found that even when married couples just imagined their spouse responding warmly with a hug or a kiss, they experienced a measurable boost in daily life satisfaction.
6. Rested couples are vastly more positive.
If you’re currently in the thick of a parenting season defined by sleep deprivation, cut yourselves some slack. A study published in the Journal of Family Psychology revealed that spouses reported significantly higher relationship satisfaction on days following a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow is literally a new day.
7. A happy marriage is the ultimate life-satisfaction booster.
It’s not just a cliché: A study of long-term couples confirms that people who rate their marriages positively also report dramatically higher overall life satisfaction, a trend that holds true equally for husbands and wives.
8. Couples enter marriage fundamentally committed to commitment.
While a Pew Research Center survey confirms that love is the absolute number-one reason people walk down the aisle, the second-highest reason cited is making a lifelong commitment. Couples aren’t just crossing their fingers—they are entering marriage with deep-seated hope and intentionality for the long haul, followed closely by companionship, having children, and financial stability.
9. Couples who laugh together weather conflict better.
Researchers at Western University found that a couple’s shared ability to use playful humor during a disagreement acts as an emotional pressure valve and leads to better conflict resolution.
10. Financial alignment matters more than income.
A collaborative study by researchers revealed that couples who perceived their financial values as similar had better communication about money matters. That stronger communication then led to an association with more marital stability. The takeaway? It’s not necessarily how much you make, but how aligned you are on the overall money topic.
11. Sharing household chores is linked to marital happiness.
For decades, the Pew Research Center has tracked what makes marriages work. Alongside sharing common interests and a good sex life, a perceived fair division of household chores consistently affects marriage satisfaction.
12. Positive interactions act as relational glue.
Dr. John Gottman’s decades of relationship research show that stable, happy couples maintain at least a 5-to-1 ratio of positive interactions—like compliments, appreciation, and gentle touch—to negative ones during conflict. The research also found that “focusing on the positives in your marriage” as a positive interaction also goes a remarkably long way.
13. Shared long-term goals are powerful in marriage.
Couples who talk about and plan for future dreams—whether it’s a bucket-list trip, a home renovation project, or retirement goals—are at a lower risk for separating. Use our Would You Rather Conversation Starters to jumpstart talking about your shared goals.
To keep strengthening your relationship, explore iMOM’s full marriage section for everything from quick date-night ideas to deep-dive marriage help.
What fact above might you use this week to strengthen your marriage?
