Does the popular “24-hour rule” for couples really work?

Posted by PSEDEN

2026-01-21

On 2026-01-21

Complaints against your partner have a statute of limitations.

That’s the logic behind the viral “24-Hour Rule,” a useful strategy for stopping persistent arguments and saving a deteriorating relationship.

This idea? Whatever your partner has done to upset you, tell your partner within 24 hours or remain silent forever.

Many people on social media have sworn by the rule, claiming it helps prevent them from sending angry text messages or starting a screaming match.

“This helps me a lot. I find that ghosting someone for 24 hours so I can calm down is much better than overreacting and sending emotional text messages,” one comment under the thread’s video read.

Another added, “I’ve been using this method for years. It works every time. FYI sometimes you need 48 hours and that’s okay.”

Someone else chimed in, “I’ve learned this over the last few years. It’s better to wait and process then discuss. Because responding immediately hurts people.”

But therapists say the rule isn’t one-size-fits-all.

“For couples who habitually avoid conflict or suppress emotions, time boundaries can serve as a healthy accountability structure,” Krista Norris, PhD, LMFT, tells The Washington Post.

This trend forces people to calm down before talking about their feelings, rather than react immediately.

Translation: It can stop resentment from creeping up.

Still, Norris warns that a strict timetable can do more harm than good — especially if one party rushes to speak before emotions are under control.

As she put it bluntly, “Regulation must precede resolution.”

Licensed psychotherapist Sanya Bari agrees, noting that forcing a conversation too early can quickly lead to failure.

“Forcing ’24-hour conversations’ late at night after a stressful work day often results in being defensive or saying unintentional things rather than solving problems,” she told The Washington Post.

Experts say this type of stress can be especially dangerous for couples who are dealing with trauma, power imbalances or unresolved trust issues.

Instead of this strict 24-hour rule, Melissa Tract, LCSW, psychotherapist and founder of Mindful with Mel, recommends a gentler approach.

“I would suggest redefining it as ’24-hour check-in,’ rather than a requirement to address the issue,” she told The Washington Post.

Rather than hashing it all out with a deadline, Tract recommends simply acknowledging the tension—even if you’re not ready to dive in yet.

“I’m not ready to fully discuss this issue, and I don’t want to ignore it,” is a script she recommends, along with a concrete plan to revisit the issue later.

takeout? Sometimes the wisest thing to do is not to stick to the 24-hour clock but to know when to pause before pressing send.