It’s completely normal for passion to take the backseat as a relationship progresses. Once the honeymoon phase is over, life gets in the way, and you start to prioritize other forms of closeness, the spark you felt at the beginning can start to fade. But although passion wanes over time, it doesn’t mean it’s gone forever.
Many people may think passion is innate, but like most aspects of a relationship, it takes constant effort. As psychotherapist and relationship expert Esther Perel says in her TED Talk, “passion is like the moon, it has intermittent eclipses.”
Luckily, there are several simple things you can do to rekindle the passion, have a better sex life, and be more satisfied in your relationship. Keep reading to learn how you can bring passion back into your relationship — and how Paired can help.
Research has found time and again that couples who have good communication are more satisfied with their sex lives, but many partners avoid talking about their sexual wants and needs for fear of feeling awkward, saying the wrong thing, or offending their partner.
Your partner is not a mind reader, so knowing how to communicate is crucial because it allows you to share your likes and dislikes, and learn how to please each other in bed. Being able to openly talk about sex also means you’re more comfortable trying new sexual experiences or fantasies and breaking out of a sexual rut.
But knowing how to communicate openly and honestly is easier said than done. That’s why Paired gives you the tools to improve your communication skills and opens up these conversations with quizzes, questions, and tips from relationship experts to help couples approach touchy subjects and have a better sex life as a result.
A study by the Open University even found that 85% of couples who used the Paired app reported improved communication with their partner, with 8 out of 10 couples reporting they felt more comfortable talking about their sex life*.
Studies show that introducing a sense of spontaneity and unpredictability to your relationship can heighten the intensity, excitement, and passion between you and your partner.
By inviting you to answer new questions together and engage in new couple activities you’ve never considered before, the Paired app helps you spice up your relationship and break out of your routine.
It’s also an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone with your partner and experience a sense of fulfillment and fun as both individuals and as a couple. Seeing each other with fresh eyes can bring a sense of “newness” to your relationship, not to mention it can be a huge turn-on.
Have a brainstorming session with your partner and write down a bucket list of experiences you want to do together, from salsa dancing to taking a pottery class, learning to play an instrument, or something more adventurous like bungee jumping!
If you’re worried that you’re losing the spark in your relationship, it’s time to recreate those fun and exciting dates you enjoyed when you first met. You don’t have to wait for your anniversary to do something fun, and sometimes you don’t even have to leave your house or splash the cash.
Playfulness is often overlooked in relationships but it’s a crucial component of a relationship’s longevity and happiness. Research shows that couples who make quality time to date each other and try new things together, build up fun memory banks, and report higher levels of relationship satisfaction overall.
For your next date night, why not try a new recipe and cook a meal together, rollerskating for some 80s nostalgia, go see a live comedy show, or have a two-person game night.
Paired is a one-stop-shop of ideas for intimate dates and adventures together — in and out of the bedroom — that’ll ignite curiosity and chemistry between you.
A passionate relationship is one built on intimacy and closeness — it’s not just about sex. Dr. Terri Orbuch’s research revealed that a couple’s happiness is, in part, contingent on how deeply and intimately two partners know each other, including how well they know each other's thoughts, feelings, and vulnerabilities.
A proven way to foster intimacy is by staying curious about one another, regardless of how long you’ve been together. Here are some examples of questions you can ask your partner to feel closer:
With the Paired app you have access to our library of daily questions, couple games, and relationship quizzes to help you get to know your partner better and grow closer. In fact, 98% of Paired users strongly agreed the Paired app helped them feel more emotionally connected with their significant other*.
Paired — the number one relationship app for couples — has helped thousands of people around the globe feel more physically and emotionally connected to their significant other. From activities designed to boost arousal, to conversation starters to boost trust and intimacy, we’ve got you coupled. Just think of Paired as a relationship coach in the palm of your hand.
*Gabb, J. (n.d.). Paired App for Couples Proven to Increase Relationship Quality by 36%. Paired