When getting into a fresh relationship, many couples expect the spark to last for decades, when in reality, even the strongest relationships can become stale after several years. While this can be disheartening, it isn’t always something to worry about – after all, people are only human, and nobody can be excited and joyous all the time.
Fortunately, a stale period doesn’t have to last forever, and it often doesn’t. If you and your partner are experiencing a little bit of a slump, here are some ways to breathe life into your long-term relationship.
Spice Up the Bedroom
During a stale relationship period, it’s not unheard of for couples to have less sex, even when both partners have a high sex drive. Don’t worry – that doesn’t mean you won’t ever get your exciting sex life back; it just might take a little more effort to do so. If a man is experiencing a low sex drive, you can look into a testosterone booster like Testogen to increase their libido and their energy levels.
There are other ways to help, too, like shopping for sex toys or trying out a new roleplay. Even just scheduling some bedroom time together can be enough – it might not be spontaneous, but it’s a great way of getting back into the swing of things!
Openly Talk About Issues
No couple is without issues. After all, everyone has their own thoughts, opinions, and expectations, and it’d be ridiculous to assume your partner has the same ones as you for everything. Instead of burying problems or only mentioning them during arguments, try openly talking about them as soon as they rear their head. That way, you’ll know where the other stands, and you can face problems as a team rather than as opponents.
Schedule a Weekly Date Night
Has it been too long since your last date night? To keep the romance flame burning, don’t only schedule a single date; plan to have one every single week (or fortnight, if you’re busy).
Some great weekly date night ideas are:
- A Picnic
A picnic is both inexpensive and romantic. Plus, you might find beautiful new locations in nature to spend some quality time.
- A Romantic Meal
There is a reason a romantic meal by candlelight is seen as the epitome of romance. So, get back to basics and enjoy some delicious meals together.
- A Games Night
Why not get a little competitive with your other half? If you want something a little more exciting, schedule game nights with your partner, whether that includes video games, board games, or ones you make up yourself.
- A Trip to a Museum or Art Gallery
Another great way to spend time with your partner is by soaking up some culture in your local town or city. Not only is it fun, but it also gives you something interesting to chat about following the date.
Plan a Trip Together
Taking a trip together is the perfect way to spend quality time with one another away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Even the act of planning can bring you closer together – you can chat about all the places you want to eat, the museums you want to visit, and the best locations to stay.
Talk About Future Plans
When you’re in the early stages of a relationship, you might feel anxious voicing your plans for the future in fear of scaring your partner away. Once you’ve been with someone for a while, though, it’s important to find out how they envision their future and whether or not it matches up with yours. To get excited about being with each other again, start having conversations about future plans, whether that involves buying a house in the country, having children, traveling the world, or just getting some cute kittens together.
Hug Them More
Physical touch should never be ignored. It’s not just sex that’s important in a relationship – it’s gentle, affectionate touching, too, like hugs. When your partner leaves for work, or when you’re turning in for an early night, remember to give them a hug and a squeeze.
Do Small Acts of Kindness – and Appreciate when They Are Done for You
It’s not just grand gestures that spark romance; it’s the little things, too. Rather than only showing your love when you’re buying a large gift or taking them somewhere special, show them what they mean to you in small acts of kindness like cooking their favorite meal, turning the heating on before they get home, and picking up their favorite chocolate bar when you run to the store.
Find a Shared Hobby
A great way of ensuring you spend enough time together is by finding a shared hobby. It can be anything, from rock climbing to pottery painting. Not only will you spend more time in each other’s presence, but you’ll have a shared interest to talk about, too.
Spend Some Time Apart
Spending time apart doesn’t mean giving up on the relationship. In fact, it doesn’t even need to be for long; sometimes, a day spent doing completely different activities is enough to feel excited at the prospect of seeing them again. It is especially important for couples who live together and work together, as that amount of time with each other can soon turn into mundanity. So, schedule some time away and plan for something exciting upon your return.
Visit an Old Romantic Location
Remind yourselves of why you fell in love by visiting a place you haven’t been to in a while. Maybe it’s the location you first kissed, where you first became a couple, or simply the coffee shop you spend a lot of time in during the early years.
Voice Your Appreciation
You might know how much you appreciate your partner, but unless you voice it, how will they know? Whenever your partner folds your laundry, plans a date, or drives you to work, make sure you let them know how much you appreciate everything they do for you.
Relationships have ups, downs, and everything in between. By working as a team and appreciating the other, you are sure to come out of each situation stronger than before.