Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007
Google


ICICI Bank
Metro Plus Chennai
Published on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays

Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Metro Plus    Bangalore    Chennai    Coimbatore    Delhi    Hyderabad    Kochi    Madurai    Mangalore    Puducherry    Tiruchirapalli    Thiruvananthapuram    Vijayawada    Visakhapatnam   

Printer Friendly Page Send this Article to a Friend

Magic of togetherness

Here’s what working couples do to spend time together



reduce stress Spend an hour together

A show of Tom and Jerry is on. You expect to see a giggly gaggle of tiny tots enjoying the antics of these animated characters. Instead, what you see is a pair of grown-ups engrossed in the programme. “Being romantic is the l ast thing on our minds especially after a tiresome day. We find cartoon shows as a refreshing way to relax. Laughing together helps us to de-stress and have an easy chat. This way, we do not end up complaining about each other,” laughs Suma as her husband Harsh looks on. This ‘best friend-turned-couple’s busy lives might hover between files and folders and never-ending meetings during office hours but they always take time to watch a cartoon show to end the day.

In this fast-paced world, as more and more working couples search for avenues to spend quality time together, simple chores like shopping, exercising, going on night rides or even watching favourite programmes on TV seem to kindle the magic of togetherness.

The coffee cup has emerged as an important bonding factor in Neela and Mahesh’s lives. “When you take someone out for coffee, it presents an opportunity to sit and actively listen to each other. And, with most coffee outlets open till late, one can plan a leisurely chatting session and talk the stress and grievances out of your system,” says Mahesh.

The funda of exercising together has also gained popularity as it offers spouses to stay fit as well as enjoy pleasant company. Twenty nine-year-old Arundhati, who works in an MNC does not look like a snow bunny but winter walking is her spouse time which she does not want to miss. “Nothing is worse in this season than getting out of your warm bed covers and having to face the biting chill. But still I am game for it as I can not only stay healthy but also spend some quality time with my husband, who’s a health freak. One can keep in shape by boosting each other’s spirit and when one feels lazy, the other partner is ready to motivate.”

Echoing the same thoughts are Rajesh and Mahi, who work in a media organisation. Says Mahi, “Rajesh drives me everyday to the office, which is just two kilometres from home. The option of taking an auto is easy but since both of us have hardly any time together, the drive is a good choice. And, with traffic jams, we end up spending more time together.” Besides lunching together, night rides help in bonding. “Driving through the night, when the whole world drowns in sleep is quite exciting,” says Razaak, a techie. Agrees Arshiya, his wife, “Roads are empty and thus look beautiful. Night rides enhance the experience.”

Stress is synonymous with the pressures of city life. And, to keep the flame glowing, couples need to strictly adhere to a plan of a 30-minute break each day, feels psychiatrist G. Prasad Rao, who has been married for 24 years now. Says he, “There are many couples especially newly-weds, who spend quality time together but do not check their temperaments. As a result, partners end up hurting each other and their relationships too. Spending time together does not mean an occasion to go blah-blah. Partners have to learn to respect each other’s company.”

NEERAJA MURTHY

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail



Metro Plus    Bangalore    Chennai    Coimbatore    Delhi    Hyderabad    Kochi    Madurai    Mangalore    Puducherry    Tiruchirapalli    Thiruvananthapuram    Vijayawada    Visakhapatnam   

Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |


The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription
Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | Sportstar | Frontline | Publications | eBooks | Images | Home |

Comments to : thehindu@vsnl.com   Copyright © 2007, The Hindu
Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu