Marriage Counsellor and Psychologist Shivani Misri Sadhoo

In recent years, a new kind of social and romantic trend has been quietly taking over parks, gyms, and recreational centres — Pickleball Dating. What started as a fun, friendly sport for all ages has now evolved into an unexpected matchmaking hotspot. From singles meetups on the court to dating apps adding “Pickleball” as an interest filter, this sporty new way to connect is becoming a favourite among people looking for love — or at least some lively competition, says leading couples therapist and relationship counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo.

What Is Pickleball Dating?

Pickleball dating combines the sport of pickleball with the social experience of meeting potential partners. It’s not just about scoring points; it’s about finding chemistry — both on and off the court.

Pickleball itself is a paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It’s easy to learn, fun to play, and perfect for group or doubles matches — which makes it naturally social. Because of its friendly pace and interactive setup, it encourages conversation, teamwork, and laughter — all key ingredients for forming connections.

In pickleball dating events, singles are paired up in matches or rotated across different partners, allowing them to meet multiple people in a relaxed, non-pressured setting. Think of it as “speed dating meets recreational sport” — where compatibility is tested through playful rallies instead of awkward small talk.

Why Is Pickleball Dating Trending?

There are several reasons why pickleball dating has become one of the most talked-about modern dating trends:

1. It’s Active and Fun
People today are looking for experiences that go beyond sitting in a café or swiping endlessly on dating apps. Pickleball offers a refreshing change — it gets people moving, laughing, and enjoying the moment. The shared physical activity makes it easier to break the ice and show your authentic self.

2. It’s Social and Inclusive
Pickleball is known for being one of the most inclusive sports — suitable for all ages and fitness levels. That makes it ideal for singles in their 20s, 40s, or even 60s. Unlike some sports that can feel competitive or intimidating, pickleball is lighthearted and community-driven, creating the perfect atmosphere for socializing and forming connections.

3. Post-Pandemic Shift Toward Real Connections
After years of online-only interactions, people are craving genuine, face-to-face connections. Pickleball dating events provide that — a way to meet others in person, bond through shared activity, and avoid the digital fatigue that comes with dating apps.

4. Shared Interests Build Stronger Bonds
When you meet someone who enjoys the same hobby, the connection feels natural. Pickleball dating gives singles a common ground — literally and figuratively — from the very first serve. It’s an instant icebreaker that fosters teamwork, communication, and friendly competition.

5. Celebrities and Media Influence
Pickleball’s popularity has skyrocketed thanks to celebrity endorsements and media coverage. Famous figures like Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, and the Kardashians have been spotted playing, bringing the sport — and its dating potential — into the mainstream.

The Bigger Picture: Why Pickleball Dating Works

Beyond being a trend, pickleball dating reflects a broader shift in how people approach relationships. Modern singles are prioritizing shared experiences, health, and emotional compatibility over superficial dating norms. Playing pickleball together reveals personality traits — teamwork, patience, humor — that can’t be seen through a screen.

It also reduces the awkwardness that comes with traditional dating. The focus on fun and movement makes it easier to let your guard down. Even if you don’t find romance, you walk away with new friends and a good workout — a win-win situation.

Pickleball dating is more than a passing fad — it’s a sign of how people are redefining connection in today’s world. It’s about mixing sport, laughter, and a little bit of flirtation in a space where everyone feels welcome.

Whether you’re new to the dating scene or just looking for a fresh way to meet people, picking up a paddle might be your next best move. After all, love — like pickleball — is about finding the right rhythm, playing fair, and enjoying the game together.

Relationships are rarely perfect. Every couple experiences phases of closeness and distance, highs and lows. Yet, it’s often the little things—a warm hug, holding hands, or a gentle touch on the shoulder—that strengthen emotional bonds. Human touch plays a far more powerful role than many realize, promoting happiness, trust, and emotional security. Simple gestures like caresses, back rubs, or embraces release oxytocin, reducing stress and deepening connections.

When touch is absent for too long, a condition known as touch starvation can develop, creating feelings of isolation and distress. Recognizing its signs and learning ways to reconnect physically and emotionally is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship, says Shivani Misri Sadhoo, who is one of India’s top couples and marriage counselors.

Understanding Touch Starvation

Touch starvation, sometimes called “skin hunger,” occurs when the body goes without nurturing physical contact. The skin’s nerves and pressure receptors respond to touch, triggering the release of “feel-good” chemicals like oxytocin. Without it, the nervous system can become restless, increasing stress and loneliness. Over time, prolonged absence of touch can impact both emotional and psychological well-being.

Why Does Physical Touch Matter?

Humans are wired for connection. From birth, gentle touch communicates safety, love, and security. Touch continues to play a vital role throughout life, offering multiple benefits:

• Reduces Stress: Touch lowers cortisol levels, calms the nervous system, and boosts mood-regulating chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.

• Strengthens Emotional Bonds: Hugs and gentle touches release oxytocin, enhancing trust, intimacy, and positive feelings toward others.

• Promotes Physical Health: Regular nurturing touch can improve immunity and lower blood pressure.

• Supports Mental Health: Touch has been shown to ease sadness, reduce anxiety, and lift overall mood.

Even small gestures—such as holding hands, a pat on the back, or a gentle embrace—can make a profound difference.

Signs You May Be Touch-Starved

Feeling disconnected from your partner or loved ones may indicate touch starvation. Common signs include:

• Persistent Loneliness: You may feel isolated even when surrounded by loved ones if physical affection is missing.

• Mood Imbalances: Lack of touch can reduce oxytocin levels, leading to irritability, anxiety, or low mood.

• Heightened Sensitivity: When touch is scarce, even brief physical contact can feel deeply comforting and emotionally significant.

Ways to Overcome Touch Starvation

• Self-Touch and Self-Care – Self-touch, like hugging yourself or placing a hand over your heart, can provide comfort and ease stress. Practicing mindful self-care, extending compassion inward, and treating yourself with kindness are essential parts of addressing touch starvation.

• Communicate with Loved Ones – Openly expressing your need for physical affection with your partner, family, or friends can help bridge the gap. Virtual interactions, such as video calls or heartfelt conversations, can also provide emotional nourishment when in-person contact isn’t possible.

• Alternative Forms of Touch – Engaging in activities that provide tactile stimulation, such as pet therapy, massage, weighted blankets, or using stress-relief objects, can help satisfy the body’s need for touch.

• Appreciate Small Gestures – Daily, simple acts—like sitting close, sharing a gentle touch, or exchanging a meaningful glance—can strengthen intimacy and connection. Even subtle gestures contribute to emotional bonding.

• Reconnect Through Memory – Recalling past moments of affection can reinforce emotional closeness and help the mind feel the warmth of nurturing touch.

Touch is more than physical contact; it is essential emotional nourishment. When absent, it can leave individuals feeling lonely, anxious, and disconnected. However, through self-care, communication, mindfulness, and small acts of connection, touch starvation can be addressed. Rebuilding meaningful physical and emotional closeness helps restore trust, love, and well-being in relationships.

In every relationship, honesty is often described as the cornerstone of trust and intimacy. Couples who value transparency usually feel more connected and secure. Yet the idea of absolute honesty—sharing every thought, feeling, or opinion without filter—raises important questions.

Can complete openness strengthen a relationship, or can it sometimes create more harm than harmony? It’s being explained by relationship expert and marriage counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo.

What is the Role of Honesty in Relationships?

Honesty provides the foundation on which trust is built. When partners are truthful, they foster an atmosphere of safety and reliability. Admitting mistakes, acknowledging emotions, and expressing needs openly are all examples of honesty that support healthy bonding, says Shivani Misri Sadhoo, a leading couples therapist in India.

However, honesty is more than just stating facts. The intention and manner of communication play a crucial role. Truth spoken with sensitivity can build closeness, while truth expressed harshly or without consideration may cause emotional damage.

The Challenges of Absolute Honesty – While honesty is essential, absolute honesty—sharing every thought without reflection—may not always serve the relationship. Several challenges emerge when honesty is taken to its extreme:

Overwhelming the Partner – Not all thoughts require expression. Passing or impulsive ideas, if shared unnecessarily, may create confusion or hurt without adding value.

Tone and Delivery – A Brutal or blunt truth can feel like criticism. Reframing a statement with empathy can make the same truth easier to hear. For example, instead of saying, “You never listen to me,” one could say, “I feel unheard when I talk about my day.”

Maintaining Emotional Safety – Relationships thrive when both partners feel emotionally safe. Absolute honesty, expressed without care, may erode this safety and create distance.

Privacy vs. Secrecy – Every person deserves a degree of privacy. This is not the same as keeping secrets; it is about recognising that not every private thought needs to be shared in order for the relationship to remain healthy.

Striking the Right Balance – The healthiest approach lies in thoughtful honesty, not absolute honesty. This means being genuine while also considering the emotional impact on the partner. Key aspects of balanced honesty include:

• Expressing feelings and needs clearly so that misunderstandings are reduced.
• Communicating with compassion, ensuring the truth is shared with kindness.
• Avoiding unnecessary bluntness, as honesty should build the relationship rather than weaken it.
• Listening with openness, since honesty also involves accepting a partner’s truth with respect.

Absolute honesty is not always beneficial in relationships. What strengthens intimacy and trust is authentic, considerate honesty—the type that is truthful yet compassionate, open yet respectful of emotional safety. Relationships flourish when honesty is practiced in a way that nurtures growth rather than causing harm.

Instead of aiming to share every thought without filter, couples are encouraged to focus on honesty that deepens connection, builds trust, and allows both partners to feel safe being their true selves.

In today’s hyper-connected digital age, mobile phones have become personal vaults of communication, memories, and daily routines. Within relationships, this can create tension—especially when one partner feels tempted to check the other’s phone. From a couples therapy standpoint, this behaviour is not just about curiosity or suspicion—it often reflects deeper issues such as insecurity, boundary confusion, or a lack of emotional trust. Understanding the dynamics behind this urge is crucial for nurturing healthy, respectful relationships.

Is it bad to check your partner’s phone or not?

Shivani Misri Sadhoo, leading relationship expert and one of the best marriage counsellors in India, shares her views on the topic.

Trust Is the Cornerstone of Intimacy

Relationship therapists consistently highlight that trust forms the foundation of emotional safety between partners. When one partner checks the other’s phone without consent, it may signal a breakdown of that trust. Such actions are less about finding concrete evidence and more about addressing emotional uncertainty or fear of betrayal. Without rebuilding trust through open dialogue, phone-checking can erode the sense of security in the relationship.

Privacy Does Not Equal Deception

Therapeutic models of healthy relationships recognise the importance of individual boundaries, even within close emotional bonds. Each partner is entitled to a sense of personal space—digital or otherwise. Privacy in this context is not synonymous with secrecy; rather, it is a sign of respect for individuality. When partners respect each other’s boundaries, it fosters mutual confidence and emotional maturity.

The Behavior Often Escalates Conflict

Research and clinical observations show that covertly accessing a partner’s phone can create more harm than resolution. Misinterpretations of messages, lack of context, or unexpressed emotions often lead to defensiveness, accusations, and emotional withdrawal. Over time, repeated violations of privacy can create a pattern of distrust, making conflict resolution more difficult and damaging relational stability.

Underlying Issues Must Be Addressed, Not Avoided

Phone-checking is rarely the core problem—it is typically a symptom of deeper relational concerns such as past infidelity, emotional disconnect, or fear of abandonment. Therapy focuses on identifying these root causes and facilitating honest communication. Without addressing these underlying issues, the urge to monitor a partner’s digital behaviour may persist, perpetuating a cycle of mistrust and anxiety.

Open Communication Is the Healthier Alternative

Rather than resorting to surveillance, couples are encouraged to engage in transparent, non-confrontational conversations about their concerns. When both partners feel heard and understood, the need for secretive behaviour diminishes. Establishing shared boundaries, clarifying expectations around digital privacy, and rebuilding emotional trust are all essential steps supported by relationship therapy frameworks.

Checking a partner’s phone without consent is rarely a sign of a healthy relationship. While the impulse may stem from genuine fear or hurt, the act itself often causes greater harm. From a therapeutic perspective, the path to stronger relationships lies not in silent monitoring but in open-hearted communication, emotional safety, and mutual respect for boundaries.

Being single is not a flaw. It can be a conscious, empowered, and deeply fulfilling choice. While society often paints romantic relationships and marriage as the ultimate milestones of adult life, many people are choosing a different path. They don’t see marriage as the be-all and end-all. Instead, they prioritise personal growth, career goals, creative pursuits, spiritual exploration, and deepening connections with friends and family.

What makes one stay single?

If you are wondering why some people genuinely love staying single, here are four reasons shared by leading relationship and marriage therapist Shivani Misri Sadhoo.

1. They love their Independence

One of the biggest reasons people enjoy staying single is the freedom that comes with it. Relationships often involve compromises, shared responsibilities, and constant coordination—which can feel limiting for those who deeply value their independence. When you’re single, you can set your own schedule, chase personal goals, and make decisions without having to factor in someone else’s needs.

That kind of autonomy can be incredibly fulfilling, especially for those who thrive on self-reliance and personal growth. Choosing to stay single doesn’t mean someone is selfish—it simply means they’re prioritising their own well-being and sense of identity. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

2. Painful Past Experience

Another reason some people choose to stay single is because of painful past experiences. When someone has been deeply hurt in a previous relationship, it can leave emotional scars that take a long time to heal. The fear of being hurt again makes it hard to trust or open up.

Even if they want love, the memories of heartbreak hold them back. Staying single becomes a way to protect their heart, to avoid the pain they once knew too well.

3. Longing and Boundaries

Some people avoid relationships because their emotional needs feel too intense, even shameful. They fear being a burden, so they isolate themselves to protect others—and themselves. Others are aware of their neediness but try to manage it, often shaped by early experiences with emotionally demanding caregivers.

They might avoid intimacy to protect their boundaries or fear being overwhelmed by a partner’s needs. Both responses are valid and deeply human. Healing starts by understanding your story, accepting where you are, and gently making space for both connection and self-protection.

4. Avoid Commitment

Some people stay single because they fear commitment—not out of coldness, but from a deep, often quiet vulnerability. The idea of merging their life with someone else can feel suffocating or risky. Maybe they’ve seen relationships fall apart or felt trapped in the past.

Commitment demands trust, openness, and emotional risk, which can be daunting. For them, staying single offers a sense of control and emotional safety. It’s not that they don’t crave connection—they just struggle with the weight of promises that feel too heavy or permanent to carry.

In a nutshell, people stay single for all sorts of deeply human reasons—some love their freedom, others are healing from old wounds. Some guard their hearts with healthy boundaries, while others quietly fear the weight of commitment. Whatever the reason, choosing to stay single can be a brave, thoughtful, and beautifully intentional way to live.

Good communication is the foundation of a healthy and happy marriage. Yet, as daily responsibilities pile up—work, children, family obligations—it’s easy for couples to fall into a routine where meaningful conversation takes a backseat. If you’ve found yourself exchanging only the bare minimum with your wife discussing bills, chores, or logistics it’s time to pause and reflect. Strong, open communication helps build trust, deepen emotional intimacy, and prevent misunderstandings that can lead to bigger conflicts, reveals leading relationship expert and marriage counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo.

Why Communication Is Important With Your Wife?

Communication is not just about talking—it’s about connecting. When you make an effort to listen and share with your wife truly, you nurture emotional closeness. Regular and meaningful communication allows both partners to express their needs, concerns, dreams, and even disappointments in a safe space.

Without this, small issues can develop into significant problems. Good communication reduces unnecessary tension, fosters teamwork, and keeps the bond between you strong even during life’s toughest challenges. For many couples, a lack of communication is at the heart of emotional distance and marital dissatisfaction.

Ways to Improve Your Daily Communication

• Make Time for Conversations—No Matter How Busy You Are – Set aside at least 10-15 minutes each day where you both can talk without distractions. This could be during breakfast, after dinner, or before bedtime. The key is to be consistent. Even small, daily check-ins can make your wife feel heard and valued.

• Listen to Understand, Not to React – When your wife shares something, focus on listening carefully rather than planning your response. Avoid interrupting or offering solutions right away. Sometimes, she may just need you to listen with empathy.

• Express Appreciation Regularly – Often, we overlook the power of small words like “thank you,” “I appreciate you,” or “you did a great job.” Expressing gratitude not only makes your wife feel seen but also strengthens positivity in the relationship.

• Use “I” Statements Instead of “You” Statements – When discussing a sensitive topic, say “I feel hurt when…” rather than “You always make me feel…”. This reduces defensiveness and encourages healthier dialogue.

• Be Honest but Kind – Open communication means being honest about your feelings, but always with respect. If something is bothering you, share it gently instead of letting resentment build.

• Ask Open-Ended Questions – Rather than yes/no questions, ask “How was your day?” or “What’s on your mind lately?”. This invites richer conversations and shows genuine interest in her thoughts and feelings.

• Limit Screen Time When Together– Put down your phone or switch off the TV when she’s talking. Giving her your undivided attention shows that you value what she has to say.

• Learn Her Communication Style – Some people like to process out loud; others need time before they’re ready to talk. Understanding how your wife prefers to communicate can help you connect more effectively.

Improving daily communication doesn’t require grand gestures—it’s about small, consistent efforts that show your wife she matters to you. Over time, these habits can bring warmth, closeness, and resilience to your marriage.