It’s no secret that relationships are more exciting at the beginning and while that butterfly feeling tends to fade for many couples, there is no reason why it has to.
There are a number of tactics that you can use to keep that spark alive, it all comes down to how willing you are to put in the effort and try something new.
Here are a few ideas.
7 Ways to Keep Your Relationship Fun & Exciting
- Use Sensual Massage to Release Oxytocin
Humans respond very positively to oxytocin and the chemical is really easy to release too. Cuddling is one way to do this but if you feel like changing things up, opt for a sensual massage. Get your partner to lie face down while you straddle their thighs. You now want to apply pressure to both sides of the back towards the lower half of the spine and slowly work your way up. By the time you reach your partner’s neck, their oxytocin levels will be a lot higher.
- Don’t Stop Being Silly
When last did you have some fun and play with your partner? By chasing, wrestling or tickling your partner, their brains release more dopamine, which can make time in the bedroom even more fun. Over and above that, the increased levels of dopamine will keep your connection strong. You could even have some fun outside of the house to boost both your dopamine levels. Sign up for a quiz night or an adventure race and let the fun begin.
- Become Your Best Self
According to Dr Oates, by taking the time to work on yourself, the positive changes automatically flow over into your relationship. Whether this is taking up a new hobby, working through difficult emotions or adopting a new fitness routine, there are hundreds of ways for you to become a better version of yourself. When you are happy with how you feel and look, it becomes easier to give your partner what they need too.
- Stir Up Some Norepinephrine
Want to unlock your partner’s passion? Get nostalgic! By spending time recalling some of the most memorable moments in your partnership, it produces a hormone called norepinephrine, which is linked to passion. You can talk about the memories or you can use smells, music and food to make them seem more real.
- Take it Back to the Beginning
When you’ve been together for a long time, your time in the bedroom can become a bit monotonous. To keep things fresh and exciting, learn how to please your partner again by starting with the basics – kissing and foreplay.
Take a break from intercourse for a few days and just focus on the other ways that you can please your partner. Then, set a date night where you can act like teenagers and experience that ‘first time’ all over again. Allowing things to slowly build up makes for a very memorable time in the bedroom later on.
- Let Her Take the Lead
Sometimes, the best way to spice things up is to encourage your partner to take the lead. It’s one thing to ask her to take the lead but another to make it a reality. This is where role play can really be fun. If you’ve never tried it before, don’t worry, there are no rules but you should try and stay in character to experience the full effect.
- Teach Yourself Something New
When your partner is expecting one thing and you bring something completely different to the bedroom, it’s going to drive up the dopamine levels in both your brains. A study that was conducted at Oxford University found that when someone learned a new motor skill, it created a flurry of activity in the brain that was very similar to the activity that occurs during climax.
Experiencing a healthy, fulfilling and exciting relationship doesn’t have to be hard work, it just takes a little creativity and dedication to keeping the spark alive.