5 Tips for Keeping the Relationship Fresh

Written by Her on April 10, 2012 in Articles

I am always looking for things that we can do to keep the healthy relationship we already have even more fun. This article offers 5 easy tips to keep your relationship fresh.

5. Mind Your Manners.

One way to be supportive of your partner is to be grateful for the things he or she does for you. Say “thank you” often and sincerely, and say it for even the most mundane things. Holding the door open, passing the sugar and picking up the dry cleaning are more obvious occasions, but what about when your partner cooks dinner or changes the baby’s diaper? Be grateful even for the abstract things your partner does, like making you laugh when you’re grouchy, remembering just how you like your coffee or putting on the perfect music to soothe your racing mind at the end of a long day. Challenge yourself by expressing gratitude even when you’re in the middle of an argument.

The more instances you find to be grateful, the more you become aware of all the tiny acts of love that pass between you and your partner on a regular basis. Just recognizing them will cast a new light on your relationship and ignite a little spark.

4. Break Up The Routine.

Part of the trick to overcoming routine is to plan ahead, and part of it is being spontaneous. You’ll need to plan for a date with your partner: Make the dinner reservations, schedule the babysitter and pick out your outfit. Even so, there are ways to introduce something new into your plan. Try a new restaurant, wear a color you don’t normally wear or undo one more button on that favorite top you always wear.

Planning sex on a schedule can be either a boon or a hindrance to passion, so try making a date for sex, but also be open to finding ways to make sex happen if the mood strikes.

3. Learn To Argue Well. 

Here are some tips for arguing well:

• Learn to listen as well as express yourself. You may find that the whole argument stemmed from a simple misunderstanding, in which case you can move right on to the make-up sex.
• Respect your partner’s beliefs and don’t expect to change his or her mind. Your goal is to understand each other; you don’t have to agree.
• Uncensored anger may be unproductive. If the intensity of your anger surprises even you, it might be best to take a few moments before you say anything. As freeing as it might feel to call your partner names and hurl expletives (or vases), you’ll just put your partner on the defensive.
• Make it about finding a resolution for BOTH of you, not just one of you. If only one of you wins, you both lose. Go for a win-win! (Warning: This means compromise.)

2. Maintain Outside Relationships. 

A couple’s relationship can be both complicated and enhanced by outside relationships. Not all outside relationships will fit well into a couple’s life together. Some of them, like those with mothers-in-law, can’t exactly be avoided, but others can, and they should be kept separate from the couple’s relationship. These friendships can enhance the couple’s time together by giving each person time and space to nurture and develop interests that the partner doesn’t necessarily share. A lunch date with a coworker is a much better outlet for discussing a work project than dinner at home. And sometimes it’s really nice to be able to enjoy an inside joke without having to explain it to your significant other.

At the same time, it’s healthy for couples to have friends they hang out with together. These friendships provide a way for a couple to be social together and explore common interests. They can also be a source of positive feedback for the relationship.

1. Grooming and Hygiene. 

Remember at the beginning of your relationship when you always looked your best for each other, when not even a nose hair was out of place? As time passes, it’s hard to maintain the same attention to appearance as we did in the beginning, what with the baby spit-up, weekly housecleaning and gardening chores, and lazy Sundays. If your relationship has lost a little of its fizzle, take a good hard look at yourself in the mirror. Paying just a little extra attention to grooming and hygiene can make the idea of spontaneous sex a lot more appealing.

Men, have you shaved recently or trimmed your facial hair (and removed food crumbs)? Trimmed your fingernails and toenails? Ladies, are you so comfortable in your favorite T-shirt-slash-nightgown that your lingerie has been forgotten in the back of the closet? Finally, everyone, have you bathed recently?

Don’t forget about the importance of your surroundings. Groom your environment for romance with a little creative and cheap home redecorating. Dim the lighting or turn it off altogether and light some candles. Dress up the bed with extra pillows and soft, luxurious sheets to roll around in together. Try aromatherapy: Jasmine, ylang ylang and vanilla are scents that have been used for hundreds of years to arouse the senses and inspire sexy thoughts.

Source: http://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/tips/5-tips-for-keeping-relationship-fresh.htm