According to, Science
and Sarah Morrell
Ask your friends and likely they’ll have hundreds of things to say about ways to improve your love life. They’ll tell you about how they fixed their broken relationship, or how they successfully managed to land a guy at work or how their relationship is perfect because of this one little trick.
Perhaps you’ve taken all of their advice, but the bottom line is this; different things work for different people and some of those tactics might not be right for you. So, after you’ve hounded your friends for advice, what’s left to do?
Turn to science, of course.
As you can imagine, a lot of research has been done on relationships over the years. These tips are relevant for those dating, those in relationships, those who are married and those just looking to try something different.
Here are 12 ways to improve your love life, according to science:
1. Wear Red
If you happen to be trying to attract that person of your dreams, it could all be in the color you’re wearing. According to a recent study, men rated women who wore a shade of red as more attractive to their non-red-wearing counterparts.
In a separate study, female participants showed they were more attracted to a man wearing red – so it works both ways!
2. Drink Red
Sip red wine to boost your sex life? Finally! According to a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, women who consumed a glass of red wine a day had a higher sex drive than those who didn’t drink at all.
3. Avoid Fighting Via Text
Arguments should not take place, continue or end via text. Simple. Instead wait to preferably a discussion face to face but if it must be an argument make a conscious effort not to pick up the phone.
According to a study published by the Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, couples who fight via text have a lower relationship quality and reported unhappiness in their relationship versus couples who have face-to-face conversations instead.
4. The written word
You don’t need to be an expert writer to put pen to paper.
Glamour reported on research out of Northwestern University that asked half of the study’s participants to consider a disagreement they’d recently had with their partner and write about it from the perspective of a neutral third party. This was repeated with participants every four months for two years and over the long term, the experiment proved relationship satisfaction was better off for those having been assigned the writing assignments.
5. Movies Nights
Movie
– check!
Popcorn
– check!
Significant other
– check!
Watching a movie together can enhance your love life — it's scientifically recommended. According to a study out of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, divorce rates were HALF for couples who watched relationship focused movies together, and discussed them afterwards.
Now we’re not saying to analyze the movie thoroughly over the kitchen table, but by watching it together you’ll pick up on how your partner reacts and learn from their reactions comments and body language to understand how it makes them feel.
The study said it allowed the couples to see what they were doing right or wrong in their relationship, and work on skills that could continue or stop that behavior.
6. It's 50 / 50
It’s only fair. Putting in the washing or sweeping the floor may only take two minutes but by not expecting your partner to do it you show you care and that you appreciate what they do — it can keep you both feeling happier according to research by the UCLA, who followed several couples over a 4 year period and said those who evenly disperse chores were happier than those who did not.
7. Get Enough Sleep
A good night of sleep is good for your mind and your body but did you also know it’s good for your relationship?
According to researchers from UC Berkeley, in a study of young adults in romantic relationships it was found that more conflict in a relationship was reported following a bad night of sleep.
Encourage your partner to join you in getting those necessary Zzzz’s tonight – who doesn’t love to snuggle anyway?
8. Go Purple
Looking to spice up your love life in the bedroom? Just add some purple décor. Really!
According to a British survey, those who had purple bedding or furniture in their bedroom had the most sex per week compared to other colors.
FYI: Those with grey sparked the least.
Off out to buy new bedding… the survey mentioned fabric too, and found the most sexual encounters happen per week in silk bedding. Fancy!
9. Say You’re Sorry — And Mean It
Saying you’re sorry to your partner is one thing — actually meaning it is quite another. But if this simple word is ever going to benefit your relationship, is has to be said genuinely.
According to a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, the more you apologise for wrong doings and accept responsibility for them in a relationship, the happier the partnership will be. The same goes for your partner.
10. Workout
According to research published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, working out can benefit your relationship. The study showed those in excellent or good health and involved in fitness activities have better relationships (including better sex) than those who don’t lead a healthy lifestyle – this includes a work / life balance.
So maybe before you start that movie night we mentioned earlier, you could go for a quick walk together or a run?
11. Positive Attitude
Half full or half empty? Looking on the bright side is another way we can keep our relationships on the up. Build on the good and move on from the negative.
According to a study from The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, how positively couples react to their partners good news can speak volumes to how strong of a bond they’ll hold with one another. The study showed those who responded positively to their partner’s victories had the strongest relationships compared to others whose reactions were more indifferent.
12. It’s The Little Things
After all is said and done, it’s the little things that make a relationship.
It doesn’t need to be a huge gesture, a diamond ring or a fancy meal – try cooking their favorite meal, buying their favourite flowers on your way home, tex them something sweet or recording their favourite program – it all shows you care and you’ve thought about them.
It’s the simple acts of kindness like this that are most appreciated, and therefore makes the happiest couples.
We’re all different and so are our relationships, that’s what makes them special.
Love, Flirtify x
Whether you go to a local shop, a chain, or one that has chairs stuck to the wall, you're bound to do see some characters. I love people watching.
