The 3 Numbers A Sex Therapist Says May Bring Couples' Spark Back

A sparkThough that full-body, tingling “spark” might have been what first drew you to your partner, lots of long-term couples say they feel it dims over time. Also known as “the honeymoon phase”, BetterHelp says that it can be somewhat normal for this part of your relationship to change.But for couples seeking to rediscover the magic, some experts recommend the 2-2-2 method. This technique, which is designed to maintain the connection between people who’ve been together for a little while, involves going on a date every two weeks, a short getaway every two months, and a bigger trip every two years.Here’s why Dr Candice Cooper-Lovett, a certified sex therapist, likes the approach.It reminds couples to make time to connectSpeaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Cooper-Lovett said that the 2-2-2 routine can help to remind couples to make time for one another. “The rule is effective in preventing life’s responsibilities from getting in the way of your connection, which is important. Intimacy doesn’t just passively grow; it needs attention and work,” she said. And though it might seem too strict a “rule” to some, the sex therapist told us she sees it as more of a “guide”. Money doesn’t have to play as big a role as you might expect, either.“Not everyone has the time or finances to go on multiple dates every week,” Dr Cooper-Lovett advised.“But making time to do something together, like a board game or movie night in, can definitely help the spark.” Much of the initial magic of relationships gets swept up in our more mundane routines, she continued. “So often we consider our partner as the co-manager of the household, but this helps to remind us that they’re our life partner too, for the mundane and the fun.” What if the 2-2-2 rule doesn’t work?As Dr Cooper-Lovett shared, “the rule isn’t a magical solution, as couples still need to be willing to show up for each other”.Still, if you’ve decided the 2-2-2 technique won’t work before you’ve even tried it, it might be worthwhile “If couples can adapt it to work within their own lives and relationships, I think it can be an amazing asset,” the sex therapist stated. No matter how you achieve it, though, “The takeaway [from it] is regular connection and sharing fun experiences”.Related...This Is The Exact Moment You ‘Lose’ a Fight With Your Partner, According To Couples CounsellorsWhat Happens When You 'Convince' Your Partner To Have Kids? 4 People Share Their StoriesI Made 1 Decision Before Marriage That Left People Very Uncomfortable. Here's Why I Did It.

Comments

Breaking news

Limp Bizkit's 'magic' bassist Sam Rivers dead aged 48 as bandmates mourn

Daily Record

Comments

Breaking news

Limp Bizkit's 'magic' bassist Sam Rivers dead aged 48 as bandmates mourn

US airstrike destroyed 'drug-carrying submarine', says Trump - as survivors repatriated

Hamas hands over ‘two coffins of deceased hostages’, Israel confirms

SARAH VINE: If we fall for Kim Kardashian's £34 dead rat it's proof we've really lost it

How wholesome TV star Fearne Cotton is still 'haunted' by her brief relationship with paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins: After his murder last weekend, she still finds it 'very difficult', insiders tell KATIE HIND

Is Salt Bae about to get a #MeToo roasting? He's the brash chef who serves £700 gold-encrusted steaks to A-listers, but now ex-employees are making damaging claims about a toxic culture at his theatrical restaurant empire

Downfall of the world's most debauched record label: A broom cupboard hiding a sordid sex den. A secret budget for rock stars' drugs. But it all came crashing down... when Sir Paul McCartney accused EMI of becoming too boring

How to ditch weight-loss jabs WITHOUT piling the pounds back on: Food cravings return the moment you stop injecting say experts, so follow these eight key rules to keep the weight off for good

Chris Hemsworth shows off his bulging biceps in tight T-shirt as he enjoys solo outing to the MotoGP

Emily Maitlis claims 'we now know Andrew lied to me about his contact with Epstein' in infamous 2019 BBC Newsnight following MoS revelations the ex-Duke told sex offender they were 'in this together in 2011 email'

Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers dead at 48 as iconic band pays tribute to 'once-in-a-lifetime' talent

Inside the King's cold phone call that saw Prince Andrew lose his dukedom and have to cancel Sarah Ferguson's 66th birthday party as Epstein scandal exploded

Christine McGuinness reveals plans to write a 'tell-all' book following her split from ex-husband Paddy

Chinese spy suspect was detained at Heathrow with £4000 in cash lying in his suitcase

Will Meghan Markle join the billionaires' club by becoming a make-up mogul? After edible flower sprinkles and £10-a-jar jam, the Duchess is said to be planning lucrative cosmetics range to boost her lifestyle brand

Lady Kitty leads belles of the ball as London hosts its own rival to New York's Met Gala

The outrageous behaviour of Nicole, the Pussycat diva: Fans kept waiting for 50 minutes while she posed for £550 selfies, jealous spats on X Factor.... and demands she be filmed only on her left side!

Pharmacy sets up fat jabs withdrawal programme to stop patients piling the weight back on when treatment ends

Britain now shows every sign of becoming a failed state. I should know... I grew up in the crumbling Soviet empire: FRANK FUREDI

The Papers: 'Andrew told Met to dig up dirt on Virginia' and 'Virginia's revenge'

McLaren's 'brutal' reality of 'that Max guy getting in middle of our fun'

'Looks superhuman' - but Man City can't just rely on Haaland

'I'm 89 and I saw my homeland rebuilt before - but now I don't believe Gaza has a future'

Sea Otters Are Stealing Surfboards in Santa Cruz. Again.

Newsom lashes out at Trump for Marines live fire exercise over major highway: ‘Ego over responsibility’

UK Government unveils plan to ‘train up next generation of clean energy workers’

Voting ends over future of Oxford Union president-elect after Charlie Kirk comment

Orionid meteor shower to light up the skies this week - all you need to know

Labour promises 'just transition' for oil and gas workers as their jobs dry up

Energy customers in up to £1,700 debt could get extra payment

Prince Andrew was 'reluctant' to lose title and become 'commoner' says royal author

PAUL NOWAK: 'Nigel Farage wants to kill good union jobs'

Ed Miliband says Tory and Reform net zero critics are 'anti-worker' as he unveils green jobs bonanza

Shocking moment players brawl with FANS in violent scenes as match is abandoned

Dr Hilary Jones reveals he is leaving Lorraine amid brutal ITV cuts which have seen its episodes slashed

Kevin Federline finally reveals how much money he pocketed from divorcing $60M pop star Britney Spears

The first female commando? Royal Marines colonel urges elite women athletes to attempt selection... but so far none has completed fearsome training course

Neighbours star Jason Donovan 'is set to join cast of Emmerdale for surprise Christmas appearance'

Who is football's ultimate traitor? From doing the unthinkable by joining rivals Arsenal straight from Tottenham to the striker who swapped Arsene Wenger for sparring partner Sir Alex Ferguson

It's pointless! TV quiz guru Richard Osman claims Amanda Holden's new show rips off old ITV format

Latest sign Vegas is still 'dying' as office park put up for sale close to the Strip with NO asking price

William could be set to ban disgraced Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson from ALL future royal events including his own coronation

Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith's daughter Stella, 29, weds her childhood sweetheart in dreamy Spanish wedding… as actor toasts the newlyweds

Hezbollah fighter 'laid the groundwork' for police's decision to ban Israeli fans from Aston Villa football match by compiling 'safety risk' dossier

Dramatic video shows effect of savage flash flood which engulfed Brit holiday spot as other resorts declare state of emergency

Alan Carr's ex-husband Paul Drayton claims Celebrity Traitors star has a 'ruthless streak' and is 'very different' behind closed doors

Listening to Pink Floyd really does alter your mind - and could even help treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, scientists find

Gal Gadot needs police to thwart anti-Israel protesters who halted London production on her latest film for several weeks

Russia seizes on Pete Hegseth's 'coded message' at Zelensky peace talks

Eating bacon once a week 'could raise breast cancer risk by 57 per cent'

Mystery deepens after missing schoolgirl found dead in pop star D4vd's Tesla

Why I fell in love with a book called I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki

Will giving up his titles really make much difference for Andrew?

How BBC secret filming exposed a £28m timeshare fraud

Spanish town bans black cat adoptions during Halloween

'I felt really lonely': Joe Swash on being a young dad

Haaland's football intelligence makes him 'unplayable' - Richards

Betfred says all its shops may close if Reeves hikes gambling tax

The Celebrity Traitors cast are closer to each other than you might think

Grand Theft Auto made him a legend. His latest game was a disaster