Helpful Ideas

After the first fires of romance slow down to embers, sometimes it’s tough to keep the fires burning. Long-term relationships are amazing for a lot of reasons; but with the true emotional intimacy and support they provide comes familiarity and a state of being comfortable. For those of you in this common situation, here are a few suggestions for sparking up (and solidifying) your commitment. They will help return the romance to your relationship!

Make your partner feel desirable
According to Lou Paget, a relationship expert and author of The Great Lover Playbook, physical contact is the best way to say, "I want you." She tells Match.com that women in particular need to be aware of this. "Men are so used to having to approach women, that when a woman goes to him it sends a powerful message -- namely, I feel safe in your space, I like your body, I want to do something with your body," she says.

Dream together
"Most couples just drift through each year, caught up in the day-to-day grind, never stopping to ask, 'What do we want out of our life together?" Nina Atwood, therapist and author of Soul Talk: Powerful, Positive Communication for a Loving Partnership tells Happen.

Creating a common vision of your life together is a bonding experience, she explains. "That's what cements a true partnership."

So rather then keeping your aspirations to yourself – or thinking about them solely as an individual precluding your part in a couple, discuss your future and work together to create it!

Stay sexy
It’s common knowledge that we tend to let ourselves go – not everybody does it, but when stress and time take their tolls, often how we look is what goes out the window. After all, we don’t have time to do everything right? Well, while this may be the case, it’s vitally important to your relationship and your sex life that you and your partner take care of yourselves. When we’re young, we tend to keep up with the latest styles and try to look our best for dates. Keep that up. It may not be every day that you deck out in a skirt and heels with a full face of makeup, but even for the casual times, don’t lose your style. Ladies, wear your hair down without reason or put on some lip gloss. Guys, iron your shirt and shave. It’s not too hard, and it will make a difference!