Nearly 1 in 3 married Americans aren’t having sex — expert reveals how to bring back the spark
No. 2: Bring back the fun
Couples struggling with intimacy often have one thing in common, according to Elton’s experience with clients.
When they were asked what they had at the beginning of their relationship that was now missing, the answer was unanimous: fun.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“If we don’t have fun, what’s the point?” Elton asked. “We need to bring fun back into the relationship.”
The sexologist recommended another exercise — A-to-Z date nights, where couples choose an activity that starts with a different letter of the alphabet for each date.
Bringing back the fun with novelty in dating can help revamp desire in a marriage, the expert said. (iStock)
For example, the letter A might be axe-throwing or an art gallery, while B could be bowling or the beach.
“M is my favorite – movie and massage,” Elton said. “My husband picks a movie; I get a massage. I pick a movie and still get a massage… This definitely helps to bring back that connection, and also novelty brings desire back to couples.”
No. 3: Flirt and flaunt
With fun comes flirting, Elton added, which typically fades as a relationship ages.
“When couples have been together for a long time, I ask them, ‘So, how do you flirt with your partner? How do you let them know about your erotic intentions?’ And they say, ‘Oh, we don’t flirt.’”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Oftentimes, an attempt at flirting gets lost in translation, the expert noted, so creating a “new language of flirting” can help spice up the relationship and spark moments of intimacy.
A 20-second hug or a six-second kiss with your partner can boost oxytocin, the expert said. (iStock)
A lack of self-desire as people age can also get in the way of accepting advances for intimacy from partners.
“With women, [with] changing bodies and aging and stress, sometimes we don’t feel our best and we may think, ‘I don’t know why my partner wants me. I don’t want myself,’” Elton said.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The expert shared small steps that can help produce the love and bonding hormone oxytocin, boosting connection both personally and between partners.
This includes intimate physical contact with your partner, such as a 20-second hug or a six-second kiss.
Similarly, small acts of self-care, such as applying lotion or following a skincare routine, can help people “feel more connected with themselves,” according to Elton.
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/nearly-1-in-3-married-americans-arent-having-sex-expert-reveals-how-bring-back-spark