Valentine’s Day is a time to let your partner know how much you love them, but it shouldn’t be the only time. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and there are 364 other days of the year to express that appreciation. Relationship expert Anna Swoboda says, “Love isn’t something you fall in and out of, it’s something you do.” She explains that creating little connections and appreciation rituals is the secret to long-term relationship success.
So how do you keep the Valentine’s Day romance alive all year long? Anna says it’s doing these little things often:
- Continue to date each other - After you’ve been together for a while, date nights might not feel as important anymore, but this expert advises doing something romantic and fun together at least once a week. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive, it just needs to happen regularly to keep the relationship fresh.
- Have a daily stress-reducing conversation - Devote a half hour a day to connecting with your partner. It can be a simple “how was your day?” talk, just be sure to share how you feel and listen actively.
- Exercise together - Staying active is important, so why not make joint physical fitness a way to bond with your boo? Head to a weekly yoga class together or just take a post-dinner walk and you can use that time to have your daily stress-reducing conversation. Research shows that sharing exciting experiences brings couples closer together, so this could be good for the body and well-being.
- Share a six-second kiss - If you’re not already enjoying a daily smooch with your sweetie, it’s time to pucker up. Anna says a daily six-second kiss will increase emotional and physical intimacy. “Physical contact releases the bonding hormone oxytocin,” she explains. “This can improve your mood and help you stay calm.” Holding hands, hugging and touching can also decrease the stress hormone cortisol and boost relationship satisfaction.
- Eat meals together … without screens - When you sit down to share a meal together, turn off your phone, iPad, computer and TV to give you another chance to truly connect.
Read the full article for yourself at Yahoo