For many of us, romance is secondary in our lives.  Unless the right conditions occur, it doesn’t happen.  If we don’t have the time or are not in the right mood, romance is out. 

Romance can be thought of as the opposite of stress.  Stress is being “on edge,” feeling unpleasant, and wishing you were somewhere else.  Romance is fun, relaxing, and you wish it would never end.  It is a closeness and togetherness that brings out intense, pleasurable emotions and feelings.  Stress can bring out the evil in us — we become irritable, irrational, and may treat others poorly.

Leisure activities help bring the calmness needed for romance and “gets us in the mood,” which is half the battle.  Our mind is cleared and we are more accepting of our partner’s initiations and advances.

Romance is a two way street; we have to give and receive it.  Reducing our stress thorough leisure helps in both ways.  It enables us to be more receptive to romance and helps us come up with new ideas to keep romance alive in our relationship.  But when our creativity is reduced because we are stressed, romance is the last thing on our minds.