Insta-Read: Spice Up That Long Term Relationship

We’ve all been there: After a few months — sometimes, a few weeks — of dating, the heat from the relationship begins to fizzle out and the famous Honeymoon Phase ends rapidly. This doesn’t mean the relationship is dead and should be punted as far as possible; it simply means that the relationship has moved onto the next level of seriousness. (Or, in some cases, it just means your bodies need a break from the constant fucking.)

But the sex doesn’t always have to fizzle out. As Men’s Health points out in an article we’re highlighting today, there are ways to keep the hardcore intimacy in a long term relationship.

The tips point towards maintaining a level of communication and not being afraid to form stronger bonds with your significant other. For example:

Spill your guts
The strong, silent stereotype is the last thing you want to embrace when it comes to building a lasting bond with your partner. In fact, improving your communication skills may have the added benefit of boosting your sex life. In a 2008 couples study at Texas A&M University, researchers analyzed each man’s willingness to disclose exactly what he was feeling, as well as the empathy he displayed toward his partner while she was talking. Men who scored well in both categories felt greater intimacy with their partners later on– a feeling that was reciprocated by their grateful mates. “When you see that she treats you well when you are vulnerable, you feel warmer toward her,” says Los Angeles psychologist Seth Meyers, Psy.D., the author of Dr. Seth’s Love Prescription. “In turn, when she knows that you trust her enough to be vulnerable around her, she feels more connected to you.”

It only makes sense that if you start communicating in your every day life, that will translate towards the bedroom, where you will feel freer to express yourself and, thusly, keep it nice and hot in the bedroom long after the Honeymoon Period should have ended. Take a gander at the article for a few more tips, which are all worthwhile.

Anyone else have any tips regarding keeping it fresh and new while in long term relationships?