Spouse vs. Best Friend: Should They Be One?

Aura Health Team
Written by
Aura Health Team
Aura Health is a community of hundreds of top coaches, therapists, and storytellers worldwide. We are here to provide the world’s most extensive, personalized collection of mental wellness content & services.
Aura Health Team
Written by
Aura Health Team
Aura Health is a community of hundreds of top coaches, therapists, and storytellers worldwide. We are here to provide the world’s most extensive, personalized collection of mental wellness content & services.
Spouse vs. Best Friend: Should They Be One?Spouse vs. Best Friend: Should They Be One?
Key Takeaways

When it comes to the question of whether your spouse should also be your best friend, it's a topic that sparks lively debates and personal opinions. Some believe that marrying your best friend lays a solid foundation for a lasting and fulfilling relationship, while others argue that having separate roles for your spouse and best friend can be beneficial. In this article, we will explore the concept of spouse and best friend dynamics, examine the pros and cons, and discuss expert opinions on this fascinating topic.

How are you feeling?
Search below to see if we have a meditation or wellness track for whatever you’re feeling. Just enter your mood and take our short quiz.
Topics
Angry
Fearful
Abundance
Grateful
Tired
Restless
Motivated
Great
Okay
Acceptance and Commitment
Affirmations
Anger
Astrology
Attachments
Balance Emotions
Bedtime
Bible Story
Bible Talks
Binaural
Body Acceptance
Body Scan
Burnout
Calm
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Communication
Compassion
Confidence
Couples Sex Issues
Courage
Depression
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Discipline
Diversity
Divorce
Emotional Intelligence
Empathy
Energy Healing
Equity and Inclusion
Fear
Food Freedom
Gratitude
Grief
Grounding
Positivity & Happiness
Recovery & Healing
Health
Health Coaching
Hope
Hypnosis
Infidelity
Insomnia
Intimacy
Kids
Law Of Attraction
Leadership
Letting Go
Lgbtq
Life Advice
Life Coaching
Anxiety
Confidence & Self-esteem
Motivation & Passion
Relationships
Life Coaching Sleep
Stress
Personal Growth & Success
Transition
Life Lessons
Loss
Love
Loving Kindness
Manifesting
Marriage
Meaning
Meditation Story
Meditative
Learn Mindfulness
Mindset
Moticational
Motivation
Delightful
Dreamy
Energetic
Focus
Epic
Ethereal
Fun
Gloomy
Happy
Heart Warming
Hopeful
Inspiring
Joyful
Melancholic
Mellow
Optimistic
Playful
Powerful
Reflective
Relaxation
Relaxing
Sad
Serene
Sleep
Soaring
Somber
Soothing
Tranquil
Upbeat
Uplifting
Nature Sounds
Nutrition
Pain
Parenting
Peace
Performance
Personal Growth
Pleasure
Positive Emotions
Positive Psychology
Positivity
Prayer
Pregnancy
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Reiki
Relax
Release Negativity
Remote Work
Resilience
Self Acceptance
Self Awareness
Self Care
Self Esteem
Self Regulation
Confidence & Self-Love
Sexuality
Restful Sleep
Smoking
Sobriety
Social Skills
Solfeggio
Somatics
Sound Bath
Spirit Guides
Spirituality
Story
Strengths
Reduce Stress
Substance Use
Success
Tapping
Throat Chakra
Tough Conversations
Transformational
Uncertainty
Visualization
Weight Loss
Work
Work Languages
Work Values
Workplace Wellness
Yoga & Movement
Yoga Nidra
Zen
Centered
Content
Fulfilled
Patient
Peaceful
Present
Relaxed
Trusting
Agitated
Aggravated
Bitter
Contempt
Cynical
Disdain
Disgruntled
Disturbed
Edgy
Exasperated
Frustrated
Furious
Grouchy
Hostile
Impatient
Irritated
Irate
Moody
On edge
Outraged
Pissed
Resentful
Upset
Vindictive
Amazed
Awe
Bliss
Delighted
Eager
Ecstatic
Enchanted
Energized
Engaged
Enthusiastic
Excited
Free
Inspired
Invigorated
Lively
Passionate
Radiant
Refreshed
Rejuvenated
Renewed
Satisfied
Thrilled
Vibrant
Adventurous
Brave
Capable
Confident
Daring
Determined
Grounded
Proud
Strong
Worthy
Valiant
Accepting
Affectionate
Caring
Safe
Warm
Curious
Exploring
Fascinated
Interested
Intrigued
Involved
Stimulated
Anguish
Depressed
Despondent
Disappointed
Discouraged
Forlorn
Heartbroken
Hopeless
Lonely
Longing
Melancholy
Sorrow
Teary
Unhappy
Weary
Yearning
Aloof
Bored
Confused
Distant
Empty
Indifferent
Isolated
Lethargic
Listless
Removed
Resistant
Shut Down
Uneasy
Withdrawn
Ashamed
Humiliated
Inhibited
Mortified
Self - conscious
Useless
Weak
Worthless
Afraid
Anxious
Apprehensive
Frightened
Hesitant
Nervous
Panic
Paralyzed
Scared
Terrified
Worried
Helpless
Sensitive
Appreciative
Blessed
Fortunate
Grace
Humbled
Lucky
Moved
Thankful
Touched
Regret
Remorseful
Sorry
Encouraged
Expectant
Impotent
Incapable
Resigned
Trapped
Victim
Loving
Self - loving
Vulnerable
Burned out
Cranky
Depleted
Exhausted
Frazzled
Overwhelm
Rattled
Rejecting
Shaken
Tight
Worn out
Concerned
Dissatisfied
Perplexed
Questioning
Reluctant
Shocked
Skeptical
Suspicious
Ungrounded
Unsure
Achy
Airy
Blocked
Breathless
Bruised
Burning
Buzzy
Clammy
Clenched
Cold
Constricted
Contained
Contracted
Dizzy
Drained
Dull
Electric
Expanded
Flowing
Fluid
Fluttery
Frozen
Full
Gentle
Hard
Heavy
Hollow
Hot
Icy
Itchy
Jumpy
Knotted
Light
Loose
Nauseous
Numb
Pounding
Prickly
Pulsing
Queasy
Radiating
Releasing
Rigid
Settled
Shaky
Shivery
Slow
Smooth
Soft
Sore
Spacey
Spacious
Sparkly
Stiff
Still
Suffocated
Sweaty
Tender
Tense
Throbbing
Tingling
Trembly
Twitchy
Vibrating
Wobbly
Wooden
Topics
Sleep
Topics
Anxiety
Content type
Affirmations
ASMR
Breathwork
Diversity and Inclusion
Emotional Intelligence
Energy Healing
Health Coaching
Hypnosis
Life Coaching
Masterclass
Mindfulness
Motivation
Music
Personal Story
Podcast
Poem
Positive Psychology
Prayer
Intimacy & Relationships
Healing Sound
Soundscape
Spirituality
Story
CBT
Work Wellness
Track length
< 5 min
5-10 min
10-20 min
20-45 min
45+ min
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
1000+
Tracks for you based on your preferences
Get unlimited access to 20,000+ meditations, sleep, and wellness tracks on Aura
Whats included
Fall asleep faster, reduce stress and anxiety, and find peace every day
Exclusive content from top mindfulness experts, psychologists, and therapists
Join live sessions & connect with the community
New content added every week
Lets personalize your experience

Understanding the Concept of Spouse and Best Friend

Before delving into the discussion, let's take a moment to define the roles of a spouse and a best friend. A spouse is your life partner, someone with whom you share a deep emotional and physical connection. They are there to support you, love you, and navigate life's challenges together. On the other hand, a best friend is someone with whom you have a close bond, someone who knows you inside out and accepts you unconditionally.

Defining the Role of a Spouse

A spouse plays a unique and multifaceted role in your life. They are your rock, providing emotional support, companionship, and intimacy. Your spouse is the person you build a life with, making important decisions together and nurturing a deep sense of trust and commitment. Being a spouse entails a level of responsibility that goes beyond what a best friend offers. It requires dedication, compromise, and a willingness to prioritize the relationship even during challenging times.

The Unique Bond of Best Friends

In contrast, a best friend is someone who shares your joys and sorrows, your dreams and fears. They are the go-to person when you need advice, a shoulder to lean on, or someone to simply laugh with. Best friends often have a shared history and a level of understanding that allows them to connect on a deeper level. They provide a sense of belonging and create an atmosphere of unwavering support.

The Intersection of Friendship and Marriage

Now that we have a clearer understanding of the roles, let's explore the importance of friendship in marriage. Studies have shown that couples who consider each other their best friend tend to have more satisfying and enduring relationships. This may be because friendship brings added dimensions to the dynamics of marriage. Having a strong friendship as the foundation of your marriage can enhance communication, trust, and overall satisfaction.

The Importance of Friendship in Marriage

Friendship fosters a sense of emotional intimacy, allowing spouses to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, desires, and vulnerabilities. It creates a safe space where both partners can be themselves without fear of judgment. When spouses are also best friends, they can rely on each other for emotional support, creating a strong support system within the marriage. Furthermore, friendship brings a sense of fun and playfulness to a relationship, helping couples weather the storms that life may bring.

The Challenges of Being Spouse and Best Friend

However, it is essential to acknowledge that being both a spouse and a best friend can bring its own set of challenges. Balancing different roles in a relationship requires effort and awareness. It can become easy for one role to overpower the other, leading to a loss of individuality or neglecting the importance of maintaining outside friendships. Managing the challenges of being spouse and best friend requires open communication and a willingness to adapt and grow as individuals and as a couple.

The Pros and Cons of Your Spouse Being Your Best Friend

As with any relationship dynamic, there are both advantages and potential drawbacks to consider when your spouse also occupies the role of your best friend. Let's take a closer look at each side of the coin.

The Benefits of Marrying Your Best Friend

Marrying your best friend can bring immense joy and fulfillment. You already have a strong foundation of friendship, which can lead to a deeper understanding and acceptance of each other. There is a natural compatibility that comes from knowing each other so intimately, making it easier to navigate conflicts and challenges. Additionally, marrying your best friend can create an unbreakable bond, as you have a strong support system within your marriage.

aura_ring
Is Aura right for you?Take our quiz to find out.

Potential Drawbacks of Spouse-Best Friend Dynamics

Despite the benefits, it is worth considering the potential drawbacks of having your spouse as your best friend. When your spouse occupies both roles, it can be challenging to maintain a sense of autonomy and individuality. It is essential to cultivate separate interests and maintain friendships outside of the marriage. Being overly reliant on each other for emotional support can also put undue pressure on the relationship. Recognizing and addressing these potential pitfalls is crucial for a healthy and balanced spouse-best friend dynamic.

Balancing Relationships: Keeping Separate Bonds

So how can you strike a healthy balance between your roles as a spouse and a best friend? One approach is to recognize the importance of maintaining separate bonds outside of your marriage. Having a best friend outside of your relationship provides a fresh perspective and allows for personal growth. It also ensures that you do not place unrealistic expectations on your spouse to fulfill all your emotional needs.

The Value of Having a Best Friend Outside of Your Marriage

An external best friend can offer insights and support that provide a broader perspective. They can be a sounding board for your thoughts and a source of reassurance during challenging times. Having separate friendships also allows you to celebrate and share different aspects of your life with different people, enriching your overall social connections.

Maintaining Healthy Boundaries in Relationships

Along with nurturing external friendships, it is crucial to establish and maintain healthy boundaries in your spouse-best friend relationship. Communication is key in establishing these boundaries and ensuring that both partners feel heard and respected. Setting aside dedicated quality time for each role can also help maintain a sense of balance and prevent one role from overshadowing the other. Striking the right balance between your roles as a spouse and best friend will contribute to a stronger, more fulfilling relationship.

Expert Opinions on Spouse and Best Friend Dynamics

Psychologists and relationship coaches have offered valuable insights into the interplay between spouse and best friend dynamics. According to psychologists, having a strong friendship as the foundation of a marriage can contribute to marital satisfaction and overall relationship quality. Relationship coaches emphasize the importance of recognizing and honoring the separate roles of a spouse and best friend, as well as cultivating individual interests and friendships.

Psychologists' Views on Marital and Friendship Bonds

Psychologists highlight that the emotional connection and support provided by a best friend can enhance marital intimacy and resilience. However, they also warn against expecting a spouse to fulfill all the roles of a best friend, as it can lead to an overreliance on the relationship. Recognizing the importance of external friendships and individual growth is crucial for maintaining a healthy spouse-best friend balance.

Relationship Coaches' Insights on Spouse-Best Friend Relationships

Relationship coaches emphasize the significance of establishing clear boundaries and maintaining separate identities within a spouse-best friend dynamic. They believe that cultivating individual interests and friendships outside of the marriage contributes to a well-rounded and fulfilling life. These insights underscore the importance of finding harmony between the roles of a spouse and a best friend.

Reflecting on all these perspectives, it becomes apparent that whether your spouse should also be your best friend depends on various factors, including personal preferences, relationship dynamics, and individual needs. Each relationship is unique and evolves over time, requiring open communication and a willingness to adapt to each other's changing needs.

In conclusion, the question of whether your spouse should also be your best friend is a deeply personal one. It requires open and honest conversations between partners, as well as a willingness to adapt and grow. Ultimately, the key to a successful relationship lies in finding a balance between the roles of a spouse and a best friend, while also nurturing external friendships and individual pursuits. With thoughtful consideration and communication, you can create a fulfilling and thriving bond that encompasses the best of both worlds.

Aura Health App supports you in maintaining a harmonious and balanced relationship. Check out Aura's wide range of resources to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being, both as a spouse and a best friend.

Aura is Your All In One App for Meditation, Mindfulness Wellbeing

Find peace every day with one app for your whole well-being. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to mental well-being. Aura is the first all-in-one wellness app that learns how to best help you. Discover an endless library of expert-created tracks for your well-being, all taught by the world’s best coaches, therapists, and storytellers. With Aura's personalized recommendations, you can find peace every morning, day and night.

No items found.

Aura Health Team

Aura Health is a community of hundreds of top coaches, therapists, and storytellers worldwide. We are here to provide the world’s most extensive, personalized collection of mental wellness content & services.

November 3, 2023
Relationships

Find What Heals You

Meditation, sleep, CBT, therapy — everything for your mental wellness in one place.

Most popular in Meditation
Most popular in Story
Most popular in Hypnosis
Most popular in Coaching
Most popular in Therapy
Most popular in Prayer
Most popular in ASMR
Most popular in Health coaching
Most popular in Breathwork
Most popular in Work Wellness
Most popular in Music
Most popular in Sounds
Preview
0:00
0:00
No items found.
Alternatives to Nagging: Effective Communication Strategies
November 3, 2023

Alternatives to Nagging: Effective Communication Strategies

Discover effective communication strategies that go beyond nagging.

Read More
Understanding ICD 10 Code for Anxiety
July 1, 2023

Understanding ICD 10 Code for Anxiety

Learn about the ICD 10 code for anxiety and gain a deeper understanding of how it is classified and diagnosed.

Read More
Distinguishing Between Trance and Meditation
December 19, 2023

Distinguishing Between Trance and Meditation

Uncover the subtle yet significant differences between trance and meditation in this enlightening article.

Read More
Unlocking the Power of 417 Hz: How to Use This Frequency to Improve Your Life
June 7, 2023

Unlocking the Power of 417 Hz: How to Use This Frequency to Improve Your Life

Incorporating 417 Hz frequency in your life can create positive changes in your life. I encourage you to give it a try and incorporate this powerful frequency into your daily routine, and see what benefits await you.

Read More
Understanding Claircognizance and Anxiety
July 1, 2023

Understanding Claircognizance and Anxiety

Discover the connection between claircognizance and anxiety in this insightful article.

Read More
1010 Angel Number Meaning - Why You’re Seeing It and What You Need To Know
February 17, 2024

1010 Angel Number Meaning - Why You’re Seeing It and What You Need To Know

Discover the fascinating meaning behind the 1010 angel number and unravel the secrets of why you've been seeing it everywhere.

Read More
Uncovering the Health Benefits of the 808 Angel Number
July 1, 2023

Uncovering the Health Benefits of the 808 Angel Number

Discover the hidden health benefits of the 808 angel number and how it can positively impact your well-being.

Read More
Scorpio Man and Gemini Woman Compatibility Insights
January 10, 2024

Scorpio Man and Gemini Woman Compatibility Insights

Discover the fascinating dynamics of a Scorpio man and Gemini woman relationship.

Read More
Why Your Office Needs a Workplace Wellness Room
September 16, 2024

Why Your Office Needs a Workplace Wellness Room

Discover how a workplace wellness room can boost productivity, reduce stress and anxiety and enhance creativity with practical workday self-care tips. 

Read More

Stay Updated: Get the latest from Aura's Mindfulness Blog

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.