For many couples, sex can be a big component of a satisfying relationship. While it might not be the be-all and end-all of romantic relationships sex can foster intimacy, closeness, and most of all pleasure. So what happens when you’re not having sex with your partner, or your love life is dwindling?
Whether you want to get better at talking about it with your partner, exploring hidden fantasies, or getting out of a rut, Paired Exercises will give you the tools you need for a healthier, more satisfying love life with your partner.
Without further ado, here are six exercises in the Paired app that will help you and your partner’s love life.
In a long-term relationship, it’s common for sex to go a bit stale. Over time, your sex life might become a little less exciting, frequent, or even enjoyable. Routine takes over and the thrills you experience early on in your relationship are replaced with monotony.
The good news? Rekindling the sexual flame in your relationship is entirely possible. In this Paired exclusive Exercise, acclaimed author, researcher, and relationship expert Dr. Pepper Schwartz shares her expert tips on how to end sexual complacency and bring excitement and novelty back into your love life.
Research has shown time and again how communicating their sexual likes and dislikes can help couples to have mutually pleasurable experiences.
“Talking about sex is the very thing that helps couples connect sexually,” says couple therapist Pam Custers. In this Exercise, she explains how to broach the topic of sex and invites you to have a special conversation between you that’s guaranteed to help boost libido.
Initiating sex can be daunting, especially if you’re going through a dry spell with your partner. This is a very common problem for couples, but it doesn’t have to be.
Research has shown that people in romantic relationships underperceive their partner’s sexual desire, especially when they want to avoid rejection. That means if you worry that you will be turned down, you’re more likely to think your partner is less likely to want to engage in sex.
If you’re nervous about how to make the first move without being rejected by your partner, relationship scientist and coach Dr. Marisa T. Cohen shares in this Exercise on Paired, how to take the pressure off and rekindle that flame.
Ingrained “Sexual Scripts” — cultural norms that tell us what is “normal” sexual behavior — breed familiarity in our sex lives, but while they can offer a sense of comfort and safety, they might be standing in the way of sexual enjoyment.
If you want an extraordinary sex life, you have to throw out the rule book. In this exercise Dr. Jacqui Gabb, Professor of Sociology and Intimacy at The Open University and Chief Relationships Officer at Paired will show you how to build your own new sexual narrative, and help you and your partner explore each other’s eroticism.
One of the most common issues couples face in relationships is having mismatched libidos. You’re in the mood but your partner is having none of it — or vice versa. Inevitably, this can cause frustration and distance if you don’t communicate about it.
Getting your libidos synced up might take some work, but luckily licensed clinical psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Joseph Cilona will show you in this exercise what to do when your desire for sex is out of sync with your partner’s.
Whether you’re fighting about the frequency of sex in your relationship, or the type of sex you’re having, arguing about what goes down in the bedroom can affect your emotional and physical connection with your partner. This kind of argument stems from a lack of communication in general and expectations about the relationship that haven’t been managed.
Couple and family therapist Judith Lask shares her suggestions in her Paired exercise- how to stop shame, fear and frustration getting in the way of resolving sexual issues between you and your partner.
Download Paired for a completely free 7 day trial with your partner, and explore more expert advice on how to improve your love life – and your relationship.