Everyone knows that anything worth keeping is going to require work and sacrifice. With all of the distractions in life these days, it's easy to find that your relationship has been de-prioritized. Before you look up and realize your once steamy union is fizzling out, try some of these tips to help add the spice back into your union.
1) Be attentive
Whether you are a decade in or you’ve just cleared the 1-year mark, it’s easy to get comfortable and start taking your partner for granted. This commonly leads to feelings of being ignored, which is the breading ground for putting a damper on that spark. One of the best things you can do to get things back to the way they were is to become more attentive to each other.
This simply means doing more talking and listening to one another. What do you talk about when you see each other everyday? Talk about things you share in common or both love – a throwback to the kind of conversations you had when you first started dating. Listening is also important. Being locked in and focused when your significant other is talking will help them to feel like they are being heard. This one, two combination will inevitably make the two of you feel closer and more connected.
2) Flirt
Flirting is essential to keeping the fun and sexiness in your relationship. To think that flirting is only for the couples who are still in the dating phase is a big misconception. If you’re married or in a long term relationship with someone, flirting is the best way to let your mate know that you are still into them. Everyone likes to be admired and routines can be the biggest buzz kill to keeping relationship sparks alive. Ladies, don't overlook how far a wink or an unexpected kiss on your man's neck can go. Fellas, complimenting your girl on how good her skin looks or brushing past her to smell her perfume will drive her wild.
Feeling desirable is a much healthier style of interaction and can certainly put the spark back into your relationship in all the right places!
3) More sex
Usually once the spark dies in a relationship, your sex life is right behind it. Sex is a vital point of connection between couples. So it’s important that you have more sex, not less, if your relationship is on the rocks. And don’t just wait until you’re in the mood. You may have to create a mood. This tip seems obvious but prioritizing can do more for your relationship than just a good time. for it (you may have to wait a while!). Even if you have to plan it around
4) Date Night
When you and your mate first met, you were probably inseparable. You spent every waking moment together and life felt like a fairytale. Enter all of your current responsibilities and conflicting schedules and dating each other seems like an impossibility.
As challenging as it may be to find time, committing to making time for one another will improve the overall health of your relationship. Try planning a date with each other once a week and be creative about what a ‘date’ involves. If going out isn't an option, hire a baby sitter (if need be) and plan for an intimate dinner at home. The effort alone will make your mate feel loved and appreciated.
5) Surprise Each Other
When you’re in a long term relationship, it's easy to forget to do the small surprising things you once did for each other.
Remembering that artist they love and surprising them with concert tickets or buying an impromptu bunch of flowers, just because, is a show stopper. Little, thoughtful gestures that show how much you care and that you are paying attention is all most people want.