40 Ways to Breathe New Life Into a Long-Term Relationship

Falling in love is a thing of beauty, but keeping the spark alive (amidst all of the things that need to get done on a daily basis) can feel like hard work. The thing is, breathing new life into a long-term relationship canbe as simple as trying or doing new things. Here are 40 fun little ways ensure your love flourishes instead of falters this year!

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Tip #1

Take a date night! You're both busy and you deserve to enjoy each other's company every now and then.

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Tip #2

Mix up your evening routine and do something you wouldn't normally do on, say, a Tuesday.

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Tip #3

Spend an entire day in bed together—from breakfast to bedtime.

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Tip #4

Celebrate each other's victories with bubbly...

support your partner during difficult times

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Tip #5

Do the same for each other's failures. (When one window closes, another one opens!)

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Tip #6

Laugh—even if it means going to a local comedy show—there's no better medicine.

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couple-in-bed

importance of communication in relationships

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Tip #8

Talk it out. If there's an issue work it out through words. It'll bring you closer. Then...

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Tip #9

Take a minute to kiss and make up.

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Tip #10

Chill out. Sometimes you can spend too much time with a person, if that's you, consider taking some time alone. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

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Tip #11

Is there anything more fun than concocting a new recipe or dish together?

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Tip #12

Pick a current affairs topic to debate; you'll learn something about each other by sharing your personal perspectives.

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Tip #13

Say "I love you." It's so simple and so powerful!

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Tip #14

Talk about your future. Making plans means talking about all of the awesome things you can do together (like take trips or buy a house!), and that's exciting!

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Tip #15

Plan a vacay. There's nothing that excites people more than a little R&R.

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Tip #16

Move on from the past. There is no bigger mood killer than bringing up stuff that can't be changed or altered.

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Tip #17

Eat at the latest restaurant in your city—and then brag about it to your friends.

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Tip #18

Wander around your city while holding hands and flirting with one another like you're tourists meeting for the first time.

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Tip #19

Binge watch a TV show you wouldn't normally tune into. Imagine the conversations you'll have around plot lines!

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Tip #20

Play a board game and stoke the fires of friendly competition.

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Tip #21

Don't like board games? Then challenge each other to a match of touch football or a long-distance run.

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Tip #22

Read a book to one another. It's romantic and unique.

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Tip #23

Do something different! Relationships can fall into ruts, and a surefire way to bust one is to do something for the first time, together.

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Tip #24

Tackle a unique house project together, like planting a garden or trimming your trees.

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Tip #25

Speaking of learning something new, why not take a class with your partner? You'll bond over the experience and can chat about how your new skills have affected your life.

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Tip #26

Hang out in nature. It's an aphrodisiac!

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Tip #27

Meet with pals. Sometimes chatting to friends with your partner will make you remember why you fell in love with them in the first place.

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Tip #28

Leave your partner a sweet note, especially if it's not something you're accustomed to doing.

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Tip #29

Hanging out with each other's family and friends is a great way to bond and learn more about where your partner comes from.

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Tip #30

Be spontaneous and take a trip together. Why not plan one for this weekend?

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Tip #31

Do something that involves being a duo, like a massage.

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Tip #32

Make a joint bucket list. What do you guys want to do by the end of the year, in 5 years, or in 10 years? Chat through, then list out, the possibilities.