Have you ever felt like your relationship has hit a consistent rut? Maybe you’ve been together for years, and feel like you’re doing the same thing over and over again?
Research suggests that sharing new and exciting experiences significantly improves one’s connection to his or her significant other. The reason behind that is simple. When one identifies an experience as pleasurable, neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine are released, and bonding occurs.
That's partially why a common suggestion to “just go out,” to dinner or to the movies sometimes doesn’t cut it to re-make or continue growing a strong bond. To truly fall in love all over again, a couple needs to create adventures that are truly novel and exciting.
So with that said, each week I will give you a deliberate plan to refuel your romantic connection with your partner:
Week 4 | Make time to go to your kids’ activities together
If you and your partner have made a family together, try this one especially. Going to these activities together can create a sense of pride and excitement about your kid or kids that you can share together, in real time. Go to their soccer game together, or watch their play together. Taking pride in your child’s performance, whether it’s in a sports game or the most recent art project they’ve brought home from school, sharing this kind of experience can add to a new connection.
Relationships are wonderful, and relationships often require work. Keeping the magic alive after years or decades together can be challenging, but not impossible.
Being upfront and honest with these kinds of issues with your partner will ultimately make them easier to overcome. It might take making a deliberate plan together, but sharing new and exciting experiences together can help refuel your romantic connection.
Stay connected!
*Lukin Center Psychotherapy is now in 4 convenient locations : Ridgewood, Hoboken, NYC and newly opened Jersey City.
Konstantin Lukin, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in Ridgewood and Hoboken, NJ. He has extensive clinical and research experience spanning individuals of all ages, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He specializes in men’s issues, couple’s counseling, and relationship problems. His therapeutic approach focuses on providing support and practical feedback to help patients effectively address personal challenges. He integrates complementary modalities and techniques to offer a personalized approach tailored to each patient. He has been trained in cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavior, schema-focused, and emotionally focused therapy, and has also been involved with research projects throughout his career, including two National Institute of Mental Health-funded studies. He is a member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Jersey Psychological Association, Northeast Counties Association of Psychologists, New York State Psychological Association, The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, The New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy, the International OCD Foundation, the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACSB) and a regular contributor to Psychology Today.