How to Refresh a Stale Relationship

No matter how much you love each other, you may feel the "oomph" leaving your relationship as the years pass. Refresh a stale relationship with methods that will reaffirm your bond and remind you why you were drawn together in the first place.

Instructions

1. Reminisce about how you met. Sometimes watching old videos, looking through vacation photos or remembering inside jokes from the "old days" can rekindle the same feelings you had when you were initially attracted to each other.

2. Embark on an adventure together. Explore a new city where neither of you speaks the language, for example. You'll have to use teamwork to communicate and the experience can make you realize how much you rely on one another and value the relationship.

3. Learn something new to get out of your rut. Take a cooking, photography or martial arts class, for example. Discover a new sport like bowling or tennis. Listen to foreign language instruction tapes on headphones and converse in the new language to practice.

4. Create a box filled with conversation starters like, "I feel," "I love it when" or "I've always dreamed about." Devote an evening to making statements and discussing the feelings that they inspire. Take the opportunity to air any hurt feelings, problems or resentment that's negatively impacting the relationship. Eliminate distractions like the kids, television or cell phones and really listen to what the other person is saying.

5. Share your interests instead of going off to do your own thing. Take turns teaching each other how to do your favorite crafts, hobbies or sports, for example. It doesn't have to be a permanent thing, just a way to get a peek into each other's pastimes.

6. Get a babysitter to watch the kids if your relationship has been revolving around them lately. Take the time to refresh your connection and get to know each other again as people rather than just "mom" and "dad."