Science highlights the benefits that “FILM-THERAPY” can bring to your relationship

Yup.

It’s called film therapy.

Pay attention, because we are going to talk about some fascinating research that highlights the benefits of a new type of therapy – therapy that doesn’t cost a dime (unless you include the cost of Netflix hehehe).

You will love!

Ronald Rogge, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, wanted to find a way to strengthen the relationship and help couples protect their marriages/datings from breaking up.

So what did he do? He conducted a study.

And quite a fascinating study.

What he did was he took some couples who had been married for three years or less and divided them into three groups.

One group learned conflict management skills through lectures and assignments. The second group learned about compassion, acceptance, listening, and kindness through lectures and similar assignments.

The third group tried a new type of therapy – the film therapy.

Yes, this last group watched movies and then answered a set of questions.

5 movies to be exact. In less than a month.

The results?

via GIPHY

Study co-author Thomas Bradbury said: “Discussing movies turns out to be just as effective as more intensive relationship therapy programs. The results suggest that many couples already have relationship skills, they just need triggers to put them into practice, and movies are great at that.”

You got it? Most of us don’t really need relationship therapy, we just need to remember and actually implement what we already know we need to do.

Bradbury concluded: “The results suggest that couples have a good sense of what they may be doing right and wrong in their relationships.

That way, you might not need to teach them a lot of skills to reduce the breakup rate. You can get them to think about how they’re behaving at the moment, and for five movies, give us a benefit over three years — that’s amazing.”

Fascinating isn’t it?!

We love this idea and think every couple should try it.

The power of film therapy is to make couples think and talk about the film and that will add a lot to the relationship, almost as if they were taking on the role of a counselor.

Another good thing about film therapy is that it’s a practical place where you can start working on your relationship – this very weekend.

This is perhaps the best opportunity to discuss your relationship and the results prove it works.

Try film therapy

via GIPHY

Want to try film therapy? Here are some tips to make it successful.

1. Talk to your partner about the idea.

Some people might love the idea of ​​watching a movie, but they might not be so excited to talk about their relationship for 45 minutes afterward. Make sure your love knows that you are going to do both.

2. Take turns choosing the movies you will watch.

Make a list of 5 movies you want to watch this month and save it to your phone or print it out (** We are very particular about the movies we watch so we are not recommending movies on this list.)

3. Start the movie early enough so you don’t get bored later!

The study suggests discussing the film for 45 minutes.

4. Snuggle up and have snacks and blankets nearby <3

5. Review all the details after the movie and discuss, talk and listen.

Oh, and be humble. Don’t take things too personally. Pretend you are a marriage counselor and look for what you can learn and apply to your own relationship.

6. Do it again.

Try doing film therapy often in your relationship – I can even see the memes being made – “Film therapy, ‘It’s going to be fun,’ they said.”

At least three good things can come from trying film therapy:

1. You will spend at least two hours together.

Affectionately, and especially, cuddled on the sofa or bed. This is good for the relationship.

2. You will talk about the relationship. In a positive direction.

In an almost amusing way. This is very good for your relationship. Also, this kind of deep-level communication is a good way to connect emotionally and help you feel closer to your loved one.

3. You will think about the things you have learned and about being more aware of your relationship.

As life progresses, you’ll recognize the next time either of you does something you’ve learned you should or shouldn’t do by participating in film therapy.

In fact, you can develop some inside jokes. For example, let’s say your girlfriend/wife rolls her eyes at you, as does Aaron Bailey from Full House. Just call her Aaron, every time she does that and she’ll laugh and remember not to do it anymore (lol)!

Yes, film therapy is worth practicing. It’s a simple way to strengthen the relationship, protect and nurture it.

So choose a movie and good luck 😉