Finding quality time as a couple isn’t always easy, and balancing life and love can often feel like a juggling act. More often than not, couples find their relationships competing with endless distractions – smartphones buzz nonstop, work spills into weekends, and family responsibilities take priority – leaving little room for meaningful connection.
However, various studies on relationship dynamics and well-being support the idea of couples taking mini-breaks to improve relationship satisfaction, communication, and emotional intimacy. These benefits are often seen in couples post their break, with some lasting for months. Changing environments also help partners see each other in a new light, with nature-based getaways offering a powerful ‘relationship reset.’ In a recent study which asked the question, ‘Can vacationing benefit relationships?’, participants reported higher levels of romantic passion and more physical intimacy. So, looking to keep the spark alive? Then snatching at least one weekend away during the year is an essential investment in relationship well-being.
Based on her many years of experience in hospitality, Onwaba Gonyora, Director at Brahman Hills, a premier KwaZulu-Natal Midlands destination, believes that intentional time away from one’s routine can revive relationships. “We notice some couples looking stressed, irritable and tired on arrival for a weekend but by the time they leave, they appear physically relaxed and smiling,” she notes. “At Brahman Hills, you are everything which is why we have created a serene environment where guests can kick back and enjoy the tranquillity of their surroundings. Our Blue Crane Nature Reserve setting, with its international award-winning gardens, a stunning award-winning spa, magnificent views and natural beauty, provides the perfect backdrop for couples to get away from life’s demanding challenges and recharge their relationship.”
Gonyora outlines some key benefits to couples who make the time for a mini-break:
• The Power of anticipation: Planning a break together isn’t just about the trip – it’s about the thrill of what’s to come. From picking a destination to imagining the adventures ahead, the excitement builds long before you even pack your bags.
• Strengthen bonds: A change of scenery helps partners reconnect and make meaningful conversation on a deeper level, free from everyday distractions. A peaceful walk through Brahman Hills’ magnificent gardens or the adjacent forest invites honest, heartfelt chats – offering a break from your routine and its often superficial exchanges.
• Fall in love, again: Away from dishes, deadlines and day-to-day stress means you can be fully present and in the moment with each other. You’ll be able to see your partner with fresh eyes, remembering all the reasons they make your heart race, and rediscovering that magical spark that brought you together in the first place.
• Improve physical intimacy: True bonding flourishes when couples can fully unwind and enjoy uninterrupted, intimate time together. And, a private retreat offers the perfect setting to relax and rekindle your passion. Brahman Hills’ secluded five-star cottages – each with its own private jacuzzi – create the ideal atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy each other and increase and improve your physical intimacy, much like being on honeymoon.
• Make new memories: Experiencing new things together that you may not usually make time for is all part of the fun. The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands offers tourists a wide range of activities to enjoy, along with breathtaking scenery. Try go-karting for an epic, adrenaline-pumping adventure, or embark on a canopy tour and zip-line between multiple platform stops. If you prefer something a little more relaxed, visit a wine farm or the local brewery, all guaranteed to offer a refreshing experience and a taste of local flavour.
The key to a weekend away lies in the quality of the escape and its difference from daily life. Time spent in nature can effectively reset relationship patterns and rebuild closeness. As our lives become increasingly scheduled and digitised, these intentional breaks serve as preventive care for partnerships, much like regular exercise for physical health
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“At Brahman Hills, this philosophy comes to life through our thoughtfully designed spaces and five-star offerings that encourage genuine intimacy – making every retreat an investment in relationship longevity,” concludes Gonyora.
To book your weekend break, visit: https://www.brahmanhills.co.za/