How to Re-Ignite Passion in a Marriage

Passion in the formative years of marriage is what holds you together. Nurturing passion ensures a strong sexual bond. Lack of passion can lead to boredom, infidelity, and eventually the end of a marriage.

Things You'll Need

• A willing spouse

Instructions

1. *Communicate
   Sit down and honestly discuss whether you are both willing to work at being more passionate. Consider the talk a wake-up call. Take an active interest in your spouse as an individual if you want to ratchet up the chemistry in your marriage. As human beings grow, their lives and experiences change; find out about your spouse's new experiences and feelings.

2. *Steal Some Alone Time
   Take a night to be with just each other, and only each other. Don't talk about money troubles, problems, or even friends, only discuss each other. When you were dating, you couldn't wait to find out more about this person, so re-create that curiosity. If you have any children it is important that you find time away from them. As much as you love your little ones, this alone time cannot include them; it is only for you two. Marriage counselors agree that alone time is crucial to successful, passionate marriages.

3. *Work Together
   This doesn't automatically suggest you go to work with your spouse, but working together on something will naturally bring you closer to your spouse. Learn a new skill together, plan a trip, make a present for your kids together. This interaction teaches you to depend on one another for support and share memories.

4. *Take Sex to Another Level
   If you've been married for a while, maybe you're tired of the same old bedroom tricks. Odds are your spouse is as well. Passion is the sexual energy and emotional closeness you feel for your spouse. After reconnecting with various activities you're aching to be alone with your "new" spouse. Expand your sex play into role-playing or games. Be uninhibited, try new things and don't laugh at one another; this is supposed to be fun. Ask your spouse what pleases her, and if she is shy take it slow. Make the romantic buildup much more alluring by leaving sexy notes around the house for your spouse. Speak in seductive tones when you're alone together and your spouse will automatically associate time with you as sexy.

5. *Touch More
   Physical touch is important; it connects you and sparks feelings and warmth. If you and your spouse rarely touch, it's time to get to work on that. Counselors agree that touching should occur more than just at night during sex, or occasionally during the week. Touching should occur every day more than twice a day. The average married couple touches a median of 4 times a day, which is still too low. When making a bond, touch is what thrills us. On dates we crave touch with that new person we are attracted to. Make an effort to have at least five skin-on-skin interactions with your spouse every day.

Tips & Warnings

• Marriage takes work, and results don't stick right away, but don't give up.