After the wedding, the honeymoon does not have to end with the honeymoon phase. In fact, it should be a new chapter of romance. So go on, break out of your relationship rut, reconnect with your partner, and fire up the passion that brought you together in the first place. Perhaps you feel your relationship is becoming “dry” and those butterflies in your tummy have disappeared, here is how to reintroduce sparks into your love life:
1. Focus on the positive
Think of those fabulous qualities you noticed in your partner when you started dating? Time and stress may have brought their less-favorable traits into sharper focus but their good qualities are probably still there. In marriage, it’s easy to freeze your partner into a fixed perception. Make a list of what you fell in love with and another list of good things you’ve discovered over time.
2. Do something new
A study found that couples who did novel and arousing things together felt better about their relationships than those who stuck with routine, mundane activities. Pick something fun and exciting, not just pleasant. Ride a roller coaster. Visit a far-flung destination. Get competitive- When you’re physically competing and experiencing new things together, the dopamine levels soar, which replicates those early butterflies and gets you excited.
3. Touch
Many couples hold back kissing, touching, or holding each other until they have time or the desire to have sex. But that’s a mistake. Researchers have found that affectionate touch boosts the body’s feel-good hormones. Hug your partner. Hold hands. Be playful with touch. You can whisper sweet and adoring things into your partner’s ear. Brush against him in a sexually seductive way. Affection is a way to make love all day outside of the bedroom.
4. Talk
Do you spend a lot of time trying read your partner’s mind? Limit the guess-work by being open and honest; it can bring you closer. Ask your partner what he or she needs from you. Take turns. The goal is to show more and see more of each other, rather than defend the status quo. Great conversation often leads to more open, loving sex. Every discussion doesn’t have to be serious. Lighthearted laughter goes a long way in lifting your spirits and reconnecting. There is nothing sexier than a smile and a happy partner.
5. Focus on you
What fuels your passion? Maybe it’s having an exciting career or business idea. Get out and do it. When you love yourself and your life, you bring more energy and interest into your relationship. Independence and a sense of purpose are sexy. When you take care of your own needs and pursue what you’re passionate about, you become less predictable and more interesting to your partner. It’s a win-win situation. You’ll be more confident and peaceful as you keep evolving, and your relationship will thrive.