Sometimes, the best conversations happen when we're not sitting across from each other. Sometimes, they happen during a drive home from dinner or on a wander around the neighborhood after dinner. Without the pressure of making eye contact or finding exactly the right words, talking can come a little easier.

And, if you're married, those ordinary moments might do your relationship some good. In fact, new research suggests that couples who exercise together tend to communicate better and experience less marital stress. And the activity most couples chose was something wonderfully simple: walking.

What Happens When Couples Exercise Together

Researchers at Brigham Young University examined the exercise habits of nearly 1,700 young married couples in the United States. They wanted to know whether being physically active together made a difference in how they got along. And the findings were encouraging.

Couples who exercised together tended to report:

• Better communication with their spouses

• Greater ability to work through disagreements

• Lower levels of marital stress

Exercising alone was also associated with healthier relationships, but the connections were stronger when couples were active together.

The study, published in Family Relations, found that communication had the strongest association with shared exercise. Which brings us back to those evening walks.

Walking Was the Favorite Activity

You might picture couples heading to the gym together or signing up for an ambitious fitness class. But, walking was the most commonly reported form of exercise that spouses did together.

And it makes sense. A walk gives couples an opportunity to catch up without the usual household distractions. Nobody has to prepare an elaborate activity, and there's no need to be particularly athletic. It can be as simple as putting on a comfortable pair of shoes and heading outside together.

The researchers suggested that these shared moments may create more opportunities for conversation and positive interactions. Of course, a walk won't magically resolve every disagreement. But, having regular time to talk seemed to help couples stay connected.

Most Couples Aren't Exercising Together

Here's something else the researchers discovered. About 60% of the husbands and wives reported exercising, but only about a third said they worked out with their spouse. That means plenty of couples are getting some physical activity, but not doing it together.

And there's nothing wrong with having separate interests. One person might love swimming while the other would rather take a yoga class. Nobody needs to abandon their favorite activity just to spend more time together.

But, the findings suggest there may be something worthwhile about making room for an occasional shared workout. Especially when that workout can be as uncomplicated as a walk around the neighborhood.

It's About More Than Getting Your Steps In

The researchers also found that couples who exercised together said they felt better heard and supported by their partners. That might be one reason shared activity was associated with healthier communication.

Still, the study doesn't prove that walking together directly improves a marriage. It's possible that couples who already enjoy a strong relationship are simply more likely to spend time together.

The findings also focused on young married couples, so they may not apply equally to every relationship. And, while the associations were consistent, the researchers described their size as relatively small.

A Little Time Together Might Be Worth the Walk

Not every couple has time for regular date nights, especially when work and family responsibilities keep everybody busy. But, spending time together doesn't require a reservation. Perhaps there's room for a short walk after dinner, even if it's only around the block.

You might catch up on something you've been meaning to discuss. Or, you might simply enjoy being outside together for a little while. Either way, you'll have spent some time with each other. And that's a pretty good reason to put on your walking shoes.

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