Those who regularly travel for business are likely to have the healthiest relationships, according to new research that questioned 2,000 business travellers nationwide.
The survey revealed that 62 per cent believe that working away from home improved their relationships, while 71 per cent felt that being away from home for work made them appreciate their loved ones more.
Londoners are the most likely to want time away from their partners to help improve their relationship and are also the most adventurous in the bedroom upon return showing that city workers need some time away from home. Younger workers appear to be the most in need of a change of scene, with 70 per cent of 25-34 year olds believing that time apart would improve their relationships, compared to just 40 per cent of over 55s.
Nichi Hodgson of the Inner Circle dating organisation, regular broadcaster on the BBC and Sky News and dating historian, commented: “In reality, a harmonious domestic life comes at the expense of desire which requires novelty, distance, and an element of the unknown or unobtainable in order to flourish. Travel can provide the break you need in order to see one another with fresh eyes. The ideal of romantic love we are sold is of complete togetherness, with a partner who is not only socially, sexually, and intellectually compatible with us on every level, but also a soul mate, best friend, parent, PA, technician, cook, cleaner, and any number of other roles.”
“Taking a break from one another while doing something financially and personally empowering at work in a different environment spikes confidence, while being healthily separated and then reunited releases endorphins needed to make something feel novel, fresh and desirable again. When you’re without someone, you stop focusing on the irritating details of who forgot to empty the dishwasher and have a chance to reminisce about their better qualities.”
Traditionally, frequent business travel and maintaining a healthy family life or relationship haven’t always gone hand in hand, but this recent study has discovered otherwise, shattering many of the stereotypes surrounding working away from home.
Gavin Bailey, Operations Director at CitySuites, continued: “It’s encouraging to see that working away from home might be helping to improve relationships and have some beneficial results to workers’ wellbeing and home life! The negative connotations of a glamorous lifestyle and fractured home life that have surrounded business travel seem out-dated, and this research clearly echoes this. What we’re seeing now is a much more accurate reflection of business travel, which is actually bringing loved ones closer together.”