When was the last time you had an uninterrupted chat with your partner? It's so easy to come home from a busy day, turn on a show, and then go to bed without really catching up. While it's fine to coexist on occasion - let's be real, sometimes you're just too tired to talk - it's still important to check in regularly.
A new study published in Mindfulness (June 2025) suggests that just two minutes of shared meditation can quickly increase emotional closeness. The research, led by psychologists from the University of Pennsylvania, shows even a brief interaction, like making eye contact or reflecting on shared human emotions, can promote deeper connection, empathy, and feelings of warmth. In the first experiment, 55 people (average age: 24) were paired in quick virtual sessions via Zoom. Most participants didn't know each other or have any meditation experience.
In a 2021 study published in Psychological Reports, researchers explored how intrinsic motivation, the internal drive to act based on interest, personal importance or inner values, affects satisfaction in long-term romantic relationships. Using a sample of 331 adults, including many who were married for over a decade, they found that higher levels of intrinsic motivation were significantly associated with greater emotional closeness, perceived relationship support and marital satisfaction.