7 Ways to Add Romance to Your Relationship
Flowers
Turning up with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for your partner may seem unoriginal or even suspicious behaviour however all evidence suggests that it actually works. Research has shown that men and women respond with genuinely positive emotions when given flowers and this lift in mood can for last up to three days later. Flowers, especially roses, are often represented as a symbol of romance and passion and with science backing you up there is no better way to inject romance into your relationship.
Spontaneity
Some of greatest love scenes have been based around impulsive and spontaneous actions to gain the attention of a deeply desired loved one. Romeo appearing beneath Juliet’s balcony is perhaps the most notable spontaneous love scene in history and there is no reason why you can’t apply the same sense of adventure to your own relationship. Break out of the routine once in a while, bring home an unexpected surprise or take a risk and be honest with someone you would like to get to know. History has shown that spontaneous displays of affection can pay off.
Keep Kissing
The first kiss is most definitely an exciting, romantic moment. According to a recent article in the Scientific American by Chip Walter, kissing provides us with important evolutionary information. Walter says that, “Scent, tactile information and compatibility of kissing style may tap into underlying and unconscious mechanisms that enable people to make determinations about the degree to which they are genetically compatible”. Kissing is like collecting data to determine if the potential partner holds the appropriate genetic material to produce healthy offspring.
It is nice to know that the wisdom of evolution has guided you into your partnership and a lovely way to keep romance alive is to keep on kissing. And always remember that first kiss.
Date Night
If you are in a long term relationship or marriage then chances are there are a number of important things coming between you and your partner. Caring for children and work responsibility obviously may be priorities but don’t let everything take precedence over your relationship. Spending time together without interruptions increases intimacy and is a good way to keep romance alive.
Intimacy
Intimacy is often thought of as a sexual thing however it is actually about sharing yourself with your partner and is not purely physical. In psychological terms, intimacy refers to feeling safe enough to share private thoughts, feelings and history with your partner and trusting them with this information. It must be a two way street, both individuals need to feel the same sense of safety and trust and reveal themselves equally. Even if revealing yourself is simply stating that you are not ready to talk about certain events, feelings or thoughts. For intimacy to develop it needs regular practice and transparency from both individuals.
Positive Focus
Sometimes after the honeymoon period of a relationship has passed the things that you liked about your partner become over shadowed by the things that irritate or disappoint you. Remember, there was a time when you were blissfully unaware of these issues or you may have even thought they were charming. A simple exercise is to make a list of the things that you like about your partner and then tell them. This may lead to a shift in dynamic that allows you both to re-connect on an intimate level.
Time Out
‘Never go to bed angry’ is a common relationship tip. However dealing with the demands of modern life makes this saying sound utterly impractical and impossible. To resolve disagreements, arguments or issues that have dredged up painful feelings or memories can take years of work. The thought of sorting it out before bedtime and still getting enough sleep to face the day is laughable.
However there is a practical way to apply the saying. Arguments between couples can disrupt every aspect of life including work, relationships and physical health. They can also suck all the romance out of the relationship. If an argument or issue seems to be un-resolvable a physical or verbal time out can be healthy.
6 Tips to Keep You and Your Baby Happier
A happy baby will mean happier parents. This is particularly important for mothers who may easily slip into post-natal depression after giving birth. The first year can be very trying for the most positive of people. There will be great changes in your lifestyle, and you may often feel alone. In this article, we look at some simple ways you can contribute to the happiness of your baby, from the right children’s clothing to being positive yourself.
- Staying Connected. All babies crave attention. Breast-feeding is not only good for a baby’s physical health, it is a way they can connect with their mothers on an emotional level. There are so many benefits from breast-feeding, including the fact that mothers who breast feed have less chance of slipping into post-natal depression. A baby massage is a great way to care for your baby, and it can be interpreted as love.
- Clothing. We must remember that babies are not used to clothing, and so clothing that breathes, and allows them to move freely is always the best. It is important to check the label before you purchase. Man-made fibres can be uncomfortable, even if expensive.
- Don’t Forget Your Well Being. Keeping yourself happy will influence your baby’s well being. The happier you are, the happier your baby will be. You might need some free time, or do the things you love. Care for your needs just as much as your baby’s.
- Active. Babies are just like us adults, they need to be kept active. Could you imagine just sitting around all day? The more active a baby is, the better it will sleep. Being active also means mental stimulation. A baby needs all of these things.
- Point Of View. It is important to understand that each child is different. Just because we have a high maintenance baby compared to a friend’s baby, it doesn’t mean we are a bad parent. Understand your child is a little human, with an individual personality and special traits. Try to see your baby’s point of view in any given situation. They are only trying to communicate something to you.
- Foster Good Sleeping and Eating Habits. A baby will not live by your rules, nor will they do things when you expect them to. Pay attention to the times they most want to sleep and eat, and try to recreate these situations to encourage more sleeping and eating. Sleeping and eating means your child is healthier and growing well. Fresh and natural foods are always good for your baby once they have started to eat ‘table’ foods. Make sure your baby is only eating what is right. All too often we start a child’s life off with many of the bad foods we all eat. At such an important time of their life, sweet and other fatty foods just have to be avoided. This should set up positive patterns for their future.
The Art of Being Happy
Day in and day out you see certain people who just seem a little bit happier, living lives that are just a little more fulfilling and rewarding. Ask yourself if this is by design, chance, or accident. Some of the happiest people I know have made a conscious choice to be happy, and work toward it like any other goal that they choose to set for themselves.
If you truly wish to be happy, it’s important to know just what it is that makes you that way so that you can incorporate more of the same into your daily life. I’d start out by making a list of all the things you can think of that make you happy, these can be simple little things like smells, or flavors, or perhaps certain activities, or people, maybe even certain types of people, such as highly motivated people, or entrepreneurs.
No matter what it is that you feel is important to add into your list, it’s a good idea to try and incorporate some of these things into your daily routine so that you are regularly experiencing them, keeping you feeling alive and refreshed. You might even want to explore some of the things that make other people happy, perhaps expand your horizons to include a new sport or activity.
Being happy is a choice much of the time. I admit there are occasions when happiness is unattainable due to certain circumstances, but for the most part we get to choose one way or the other. I suggest you choose upon waking to have a great day, a happy day. Start off by eating your favorite healthy breakfast, perhaps wake up early enough to enjoy the newspaper or to write a blog post, or go for a run before heading off to work. Try to incorporate some you time at the beginning of your day so that you set the mood for the hours to come.
For some people accomplishment is what makes them happy, try to list out all the things you’d like to accomplish in both your personal, as well as professional day. Cross them off your list as you accomplish them. It won’t take long before you are surprising even yourself with how much you can get done in a day, if you simply focus on the next task at hand rather than how overwhelming the entire list is. Bite it off one chunk at a time.
Make the most of your lunch hour, don’t just do the same old routine day in and day out, take a colleague for lunch, go for a walk downtown and eat on the go, or in a park you don’t normally visit. Many of us get into our routines, and while we like our routines, and find them to be safe, they often times limit our experiences. Instead of going to the same old coffee shop, try something new today; you might just be surprised at the new experiences you stumble across.
