Trevor Single from Christian organisation the Family Matters Institute, was speaking after a new study has shown that watching films and box sets together can be the secret to a successful relationship if couples do not have mutual friends.
He said: "I believe that the opportunity to set time aside as a couple, sit down and maybe set aside an evening, and say 'let's sit on the sofa and watch and box set and have a chat about it', may be a great way of strengthening a relationship."
The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships showed the more often couples, without shared friends, spend time sitting together in front of a film or heading to the cinema, the higher they rated each other.
The research by the University of Aberdeen said that it can be an easy way to improve a relationship.
Trevor Single said a few years ago being in each other's company and talking would have been enough: "We've got to recognise in terms of where society is now ...there are so many other distractions, the distractions can destroy a relationship."
He told Premier box sets are not the only thing a relationship needs, but they are good starting point: "Schedule time together as couples because, otherwise, all too easily other events crowd into that time and we find ourselves drawn apart... I think identifying something that's of common interest to both of us, that's a great opportunity to send time together."
Listen to Premier's Antony Bushfield speak to Trevor Single here:
