Some habits look messy from the outside. Gossiping. Binge-watching trash TV. Late-night fast food runs. But for many couples, these so-called "bad" habits might be doing more good than harm. It turns out that getting a little off track together can bring you closer.

According to a study from UC Riverside, couples who gossip together report stronger emotional intimacy and higher satisfaction in their relationship. That is right, talking about other people behind their back can be good for your love life.

Couples Who Gossip Feel Like a Team

Gossip isn’t always negative. In fact, positive gossip, complimenting someone behind their back, or sharing admiration, also creates a connection. The key is the alignment. When couples break down a social situation together, they are decoding the world as a unit. It is “us” versus the chaos out there.

Lisa / Unsplash / Instead of holding back or processing things alone, they vent, laugh, and unpack things together. It builds a private world full of shared signals and unspoken cues.

Over time, that world becomes a source of safety and joy.

The Dirty Bond of Shared Indulgence

Another study from the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin shows that couples who engage in unhealthy behaviors together, like smoking, binge-watching, or eating junk food. report feeling more emotionally close in the moment. It is a little rebellious, a little comforting, and a lot of bonding.

When couples sit side by side binging a whole season of reality TV or splitting a late-night pizza, they are choosing each other over the world’s rules.

Habit Sync is Healthy

Over time, couples often sync up their routines, good or bad. This is called “habit synchronicity.” It might look like both partners staying up too late watching YouTube, or both skipping the gym for comfort food. Not ideal for health, sure. But it signals unity. You are mirroring each other’s vibe.

Experts say this kind of syncing gives couples a feeling of rhythm and connection. But for long-term happiness, it needs balance. Enjoy the cozy laziness, but also build in some mutual goals. Go on walks. Cook real food together. Clean the bathroom as a duo. Bonding doesn’t have to mean bad choices only.

“We” Couples vs “I” Couples

One of the strongest habits that predicts happy couples? Using the word “we.” A long-term study from UC Riverside found that couples who speak in “we” terms instead of “I” terms score higher on relationship satisfaction and emotional alignment.

Candice / Unsplash / When you use “we” instead of “I,” it tells your brain and your partner’s brain that you are a team.

It also annoys your single friends, but hey, that is part of the fun. The more you talk like a team, the more you act like one.

Indulge Together, But Balance It Out

Sharing little indulgences like takeout, Netflix binges, or lazy weekends can strengthen your bond. But psychologists warn against letting these become your only rituals. Without balance, the closeness can turn into co-dependence or just unhealthy stagnation.

Couples who thrive long-term mix fun with function. That means turning shared indulgence into shared effort. Tackle boring chores as a team. Plan small goals together.

However, you don’t need grand gestures to build a strong relationship. Small habits carry more weight. Turning toward your partner when they speak. Noticing when they seem off. Saying thank you for little things. These micro-moves create a solid emotional base.

For example, setting aside just 20 minutes of screen-free connection every day can make a big difference. No phones, no distractions, just real face time. Over weeks and months, that tiny habit builds massive trust. It tells your partner they matter.