TL;DR: Communicate openly and transparently; address concerns related to cheating; keep promises; and have date nights and eat together when you can.
Partners should be transparent about their travel itinerary, including accommodations, activities, and who they might interact with. Technology helps check in regularly via video calls, texts, or emails. Until recently, FaceTime was the most popular choice for video calls, with almost half (47.6%) of all respondents in a survey relying on it for video chats and calls. Next was Facebook Messenger, with 44.1% of people using it to communicate. Just under a third (31.5%) used Zoom, which is known for its intuitive video conferencing. Skype came next with 22.5%, and WhatsApp ranked last with 18.4% of users.
Address concerns
Traveling alone for extended periods can make one or both partners feel uneasy. If feelings of jealousy begin to set in, they must be addressed honestly and constructively. Studies show that up to 60% of marriages affected by cheating end in divorce.
A cheating partner often turns to technology to talk with the person they are having an affair with. If one partner seemingly stops communicating with the other, it is a suspicious sign. They might stop sharing their travel experiences. When partners start arguing, the patterns might start to change, with one of them not wanting to argue like they would have in the past.
Research reveals that a lower pitch can indicate cheating. Independent participants heard voice samples of people who reported that they had or hadn’t cheated on their romantic partners. Researchers used identical voice samples for all groups in terms of age, voice pitch, voice attractiveness, and other acoustic measures to control for aspects that may give the listener a clue as to the speaker. Participants rated the voices of those who had admitted to cheating as more likely to cheat.
They might also notice stonewalling, including storming off, changing the subject to avoid a topic, or making accusations to skirt the issue that’s being brought up. Despite all these signs of a cheating wife or husband, it’s best to give the benefit of the doubt and avoid jumping to conclusions.
Maintain trust
The most important factor in maintaining trust is keeping promises. If one partner says they will do something, they should follow through. If they cannot keep their promise, they should openly communicate the situation so your partner knows what to expect and can take your word at face value.
Before traveling, partners should discuss and agree on what is and isn’t acceptable behavior, like going out for a drink with new people you met on a business trip. They must decide how often they’ll check in with each other to avoid misunderstandings. If solo travel is very extensive, the relationship could obtain the status of a long-distance one, and as of 2024, 40% of long-distance relationships fail due to trust issues.
Reinforce security
Couples should spend meaningful time together before and after trips to reinforce their bond. Even if they have been together for many years, people shouldn’t stop “dating” or having a special evening together. Research shows that “date nights” improve relationship and sexual satisfaction and are associated with lower divorce rates.
Eating together bonds people. Depending on work and travel schedules, couples won’t have every meal together, but whenever they can, they should make an effort to sit down for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This allows couples to reconnect after a long time away from one another.
Foster independence
Recognize that solo travel can be fulfilling and allow each partner to grow individually, which can enrich the relationship. It’s important not to lose focus on the long-term goals couples share. Even when apart, this helps maintain a sense of partnership and togetherness.
Celebrate reunions
Whether it’s one night or a week-long vacation, getting away together is an effective way to recharge the relationship and forge pleasant memories. Couples should talk about their travels and involve each other by sharing stories or souvenirs.