By Laura Snyder
Forget about staying up all night talking about your hopes and dreams, or trying muscle-straining sexual acrobatics. Blissful couples know the real secrets to a happy romance are in the day-to-day details. Try our tricks for a quick tune-up:
Forgive and Forget. Admit it, you're still fuming that he forgot the anniversary of your first kiss, or that she threw out your "lucky" bowling socks. Holding onto unforgiving thoughts leads to negative emotions and stress, says Charlotte van Oyen Witvliet, an assistant professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Mich who studies forgiveness. While you may think that holding onto that grudge may make you feel more in control, Witvliet found that people feel in even greater control and enjoy the highest sense of power, well-being and resolution when they managed to grant forgiveness. That kind of positive change can't help but improve your relationship.
Meet Halfway. Even grown-ups shouldn't ignore the Sesame Street values of compromise. If you've both caught yourselves saying, "You never..." once too often, strike a bargain to end one of your usual battles. Trade an hour of watching Monday Night Football for an hour of shoe shopping. Both parties must participate without grumbling, and you should generously - and creatively -- thank your sweetie for pursuing your interests with you.
Flirt. Just because you're no longer trying to woo your mate, doesn't mean you shouldn't, well, try to woo your mate. Some research has shown that holding eye-contact with someone actually makes you like them more, so go ahead and gaze into each other's eyes, touch each other during conversation, and let that forgotten excitement rekindle. Then make sure the flames of passion inspire you to...
Get It On! When you and your honey are both crazed with work or family obligations, you may have trouble finding the time to just tune into each other. Make a point to not overlook the physical expressions of your love. You don't need to spend hours lighting scented candles and strewing rose petals across your bedroom (although it can't hurt!). Just take a few more minutes to extend that peck on the cheek in the morning into a sensuous smooch good-bye. Hold hands, give back-rubs, and miss no opportunity to get your arms around each other.
Copyright Fun Online Corporation.
Forget about staying up all night talking about your hopes and dreams, or trying muscle-straining sexual acrobatics. Blissful couples know the real secrets to a happy romance are in the day-to-day details. Try our tricks for a quick tune-up:
Forgive and Forget. Admit it, you're still fuming that he forgot the anniversary of your first kiss, or that she threw out your "lucky" bowling socks. Holding onto unforgiving thoughts leads to negative emotions and stress, says Charlotte van Oyen Witvliet, an assistant professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Mich who studies forgiveness. While you may think that holding onto that grudge may make you feel more in control, Witvliet found that people feel in even greater control and enjoy the highest sense of power, well-being and resolution when they managed to grant forgiveness. That kind of positive change can't help but improve your relationship.
Meet Halfway. Even grown-ups shouldn't ignore the Sesame Street values of compromise. If you've both caught yourselves saying, "You never..." once too often, strike a bargain to end one of your usual battles. Trade an hour of watching Monday Night Football for an hour of shoe shopping. Both parties must participate without grumbling, and you should generously - and creatively -- thank your sweetie for pursuing your interests with you.
Flirt. Just because you're no longer trying to woo your mate, doesn't mean you shouldn't, well, try to woo your mate. Some research has shown that holding eye-contact with someone actually makes you like them more, so go ahead and gaze into each other's eyes, touch each other during conversation, and let that forgotten excitement rekindle. Then make sure the flames of passion inspire you to...
Get It On! When you and your honey are both crazed with work or family obligations, you may have trouble finding the time to just tune into each other. Make a point to not overlook the physical expressions of your love. You don't need to spend hours lighting scented candles and strewing rose petals across your bedroom (although it can't hurt!). Just take a few more minutes to extend that peck on the cheek in the morning into a sensuous smooch good-bye. Hold hands, give back-rubs, and miss no opportunity to get your arms around each other.
Copyright Fun Online Corporation.
