How to Keep The Passion and Romance Alive in Your Relationship

Snuggle close to your significant other often to feel that romantic spark.

It is easy to let the passion and romance slide when you have a hectic daily schedule or children to raise. But passion and romance are what keep relationships strong. Whether you want to maintain ongoing passion or reignite a dying spark, talk with your significant other about how you feel. Take turns expressing your feelings. Keep communication nonjudgmental. Brainstorm ways to keep your relationship exciting and new. Whatever activities you decide, remember that it is the effort on both parts that keeps passion and romance alive more than the activities themselves.

Instructions

1. 

   Dance lessons will keep your bodies and relationship in shape.

   Start a new hobby together. Look at classes and workshops in your area such as pottery, creative writing, poetry, dance lessons, gourmet cooking or yoga. You might want to learn a new language or join a co-ed sports team through your town's recreation department. Learning something new together will spark communication and teach you how to work as a team and support each other.

2. 

   Spending time apart reminds you that you're individuals, too.

   Set aside money each year for both separate vacations and romantic getaways. For example, alternate holidays apart with friends with romantic ones together. If your budget or work schedule does not allow you to take multiple week-long vacations, plan mini-escapades throughout the year. Taking time away from each other will stir up romantic feelings when you reunite. You will also have much to talk about when you share your separate adventures.

3. 

   Ask your significant other to show you why she enjoys cooking.

   Take an interest in each other's recreational activities. For example, ask your significant other how her book club went. Ask her to summarize the book for you and give her opinion about it. Find out if there was a heated debate, but do not criticize her opinion or that of other club members. If one of the books on the list interests you, join her club for the month, as long as significant others are allowed and the club operates on a drop-in basis. You can also ask her to join your own private book club. Light candles around the bedroom and get a romance novel you can read together.

4. 

   Get creative with your yard and build a garden together.

   Work together. Whether you assist each other with work projects, do yard work, refinish the basement or tackle housecleaning, tag-teaming projects will make you feel proud of your accomplishments. You will remember that you work better together than alone. Plus, you will have more quality time together.

References

• MarriageAdvice.com; Making Passion More Passionate; Jim Ray
• 4Therapy.com; How to Re-Ignite Passion Into a Relationship; Jackie A. Castro