After the Honeymoon Phase: 4 Expert Tips for Keeping Your Relationship Alive
We all love the honeymoon phase: that amazing period at the beginning of a new relationship when everything is sunshine and rainbows. But while that gorgeous feeling can last for up to two years, for some couples it can be much shorter.
With Valentine’s Day on the way – one of the top five most popular days for a proposal – some relationships are set to jump from a waning honeymoon phase to excited wedding planning! But whether you’re planning your big day or not, it’s essential to keep nurturing that all-important spark.
YCB teamed up with the top wedding hotel in the Lake District, Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa to chat to sex and relationship therapist, Georgina Vass, who shares her insight into the steps couples can take to keep their relationship alive well beyond the honeymoon phase – wedding or not.
1. Experience nature together
The benefits of spending time in nature are well-documented, with numerous positive effects on your physical and mental health. Studies show that spending just 15 minutes a day outdoors can have both physical and emotional benefits. But with the average UK person spending only 7% of their work week outdoors – that’s just 86 minutes – it’s clear we need to prioritise time outside, both for ourselves and our relationships.
Georgina Vass says: “Nature reduces stress, which can improve relationship satisfaction and promote intimacy. Being in nature can invite opportunities to bond, from meaningful talks to playful activities.
“Importantly, experiencing nature tends to coincide with physical movement, which supports our mental and physical wellbeing in many ways: boosting libido, improving erectile functioning, increasing stamina and lifting mood.”
Any time spent outside can bring positive benefits, but exploring exciting, new places can make all the difference.
Vass continues: “Depending on where you are in nature, experiencing the ‘awe effect’ can improve memory and allow couples to pay more attention to details and what is happening in the moment.”
2. Book a romantic getaway
Romantic trips away might seem like an obvious way to keep the spark alive, yet they’re often one of the first things couples stop prioritising after the honeymoon phase.
Vass explains: “Romantic trips away can give couples something to look forward to, compared to the relative monotony of everyday life. Trips increase novelty, which can deepen connection and strengthen emotional intimacy.
“Being away from the stress and routine of day-to-day life creates opportunities for more uninterrupted time together.”
Plus, travelling together allows couples to focus fully on one another, something that isn’t always possible amid the demands of everyday life.
“Less distractions can promote more intimacy, inspire fresh conversations and the offer the potential for new shared memories and experiences,” she adds.
Whether it’s a trip abroad or a low-key break closer to home, what matters most is stepping away from routine and spending quality time one-on-one.
3. Take the time for self-care
Ensuring your relationship thrives beyond the honeymoon phase isn’t just about investing in the partnership itself; prioritising individual self-care plays an equally important role in keeping the spark alive.
“Self-care tends to reduce stress and improve self-esteem, which can positively impact our romantic relationships. Whether it’s playing pool with friends or going to a wreath-making workshop, partners with boundaries and separate interests are attractive,” Vass says.
“Those in long-term relationships often become enmeshed and the mystery fades. Creating time for self-care communicates that, while your relationship is a priority, you’re still an individual with unique interests and desires.”
According to Vass, taking some time for yourself and engaging in the activities you enjoy independently can also lead to “fresh conversations or perspectives,” both of which are important to maintain the spark in relationships.
4. Stay playful and have fun!
Maintaining a sense of playfulness and fun is key to long-term relationship satisfaction. However, many couples find this element hard to maintain as time goes on. Vass emphasises that these elements are the key ingredients for keeping the spark alive. Whether you’re sharing inside jokes or trying new activities together, having fun looks different for everyone.
“Couples who can play together tend to be more joyful and experience greater relationship satisfaction.”
So, whatever you love doing together, make time for it! Shared, joyful experiences can help keep that spark alive and bring you closer together in the process.
While the honeymoon phase may fade, meaningful connection doesn’t have to. Georgina Vass highlights that prioritising connection, individuality and fun, helps relationships continue to thrive over time.