MerAlove23
06-05-2006, 02:15 PM
Here is a cute article I found :
Get Summer Lovin’ —
All Year Long!
Four ways to make your relationship feel like a fabulous fling.
by Sara Eckel A couple on the beach.
During the summer, it’s so easy to be in love. Sun-kissed skin gives us all a gorgeous glow, and that extra daylight and warm-weather activity make us feel fantastic. Life is fun and easy — and so are your romantic relationships. But why is that euphoria so hard to maintain past Labor Day? "There is something about summer weather that’s uplifting [for couples]," says psychologist Lonnie Barbach, Ph.D., co-author of "Going the Distance: Finding and Keeping Lifelong Love." "The stuff you do in winter is less exhilarating. Sure, you can go to the movies or an art museum, but you have to dig out your raincoat and umbrella first." Spontaneity and joie de vivre may be harder to muster once the temperature outside drops, but there’s no need to throw in the romantic towel as soon as you shed your summer whites! Here are four pointers for mimicking summer lovin’ year-round:
Keep playtime a priority. From June through August, work worries take a backseat to frolicking on the beach and sipping wine at outdoor cafes. But when fall rolls around, we tend to neglect our carefree inner child and convince ourselves that we must answer all 47 e-mails in our in-box before we clock out. Curb your autumnal workaholic tendencies by planning fun activities after work, just as you did during the summer. Buy season tickets for two to your local symphony or theater company, sign up for a photography class together, or simply make reservations at your favorite restaurant — anything that inspires you to turn off your computer and get back to having fun with your honey. If you’ve moved from the wining and dining phase toward the "I dunno... what do you want to do?" phase, Dr. Barbach suggests that each of you take charge of planning a complete date once a month, be it a candlelight picnic on the living room floor or an evening out listening to live music. "It’s a conscious attempt to do what happens automatically during the honeymoon stage," she says.
Get Summer Lovin’ —
All Year Long!
Four ways to make your relationship feel like a fabulous fling.
by Sara Eckel A couple on the beach.
During the summer, it’s so easy to be in love. Sun-kissed skin gives us all a gorgeous glow, and that extra daylight and warm-weather activity make us feel fantastic. Life is fun and easy — and so are your romantic relationships. But why is that euphoria so hard to maintain past Labor Day? "There is something about summer weather that’s uplifting [for couples]," says psychologist Lonnie Barbach, Ph.D., co-author of "Going the Distance: Finding and Keeping Lifelong Love." "The stuff you do in winter is less exhilarating. Sure, you can go to the movies or an art museum, but you have to dig out your raincoat and umbrella first." Spontaneity and joie de vivre may be harder to muster once the temperature outside drops, but there’s no need to throw in the romantic towel as soon as you shed your summer whites! Here are four pointers for mimicking summer lovin’ year-round:
Keep playtime a priority. From June through August, work worries take a backseat to frolicking on the beach and sipping wine at outdoor cafes. But when fall rolls around, we tend to neglect our carefree inner child and convince ourselves that we must answer all 47 e-mails in our in-box before we clock out. Curb your autumnal workaholic tendencies by planning fun activities after work, just as you did during the summer. Buy season tickets for two to your local symphony or theater company, sign up for a photography class together, or simply make reservations at your favorite restaurant — anything that inspires you to turn off your computer and get back to having fun with your honey. If you’ve moved from the wining and dining phase toward the "I dunno... what do you want to do?" phase, Dr. Barbach suggests that each of you take charge of planning a complete date once a month, be it a candlelight picnic on the living room floor or an evening out listening to live music. "It’s a conscious attempt to do what happens automatically during the honeymoon stage," she says.
Get Summer Lovin’ — All Year Long!
Four ways to make your relationship feel like a fabulous fling.
( Continued from page 1. )
Indulge your senses. Summer is sexy in part because it's such a feast for the senses: the taste of fresh watermelon, the smell of salt air, the feel of the sun on your shoulders. But cooler months offer their own sensual pleasures, such as the sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet, the coziness of a roaring fire in the fireplace and the smell of fresh-baked apple pie. Make it a priority to enjoy these seasonal delights with your loved one. Arrange apple-picking dates, hiking trips amid fall foliage or quality pumpkin-carving time. You may not have the summer sun, but you do have someone to snuggle with to heat things up!
Don't be afraid to be sexy. Sunlight and exercise are both libido boosters — your between-the-sheets life was probably hot this summer. Now that the weather is chillier, your love affair might be cooling off a bit too. Don't fret. Remember that many a summer romance begins as a lust-fueled fling, whereas a long-term relationship is built on more than just fireworks in bed. Nonetheless, you can keep the summer sparks flying by paying attention to your needs and desires. Contrary to what you might think, "there was nothing spontaneous about your [summer romps]," suggests Barbach. "The sex was definitely planned." Before you hit the town on those hot summer nights, you probably picked a sexy outfit, shaved your legs, painted your toenails and flaunted your let's-have-some-fun attitude. You can still do all those things (just don't forget a warm layer of clothing!). Also, don’t be afraid to schedule your sexual encounters — and then look forward to them all day. Is it hot in here?
Keep up the compliments. On those delicious summer nights, you let him know how great he looked with a tan, how impressed you were by his boating skills, how much you appreciated the barbecue dinners he cooked for you. "Once a relationship matures, there’s an expectation that you don't have to say those things anymore," says Barbach. "But, in fact, saying those things is essential." Just because your life isn't as sunny right now, don't lose sight of the things that bring light and happiness into your life. Be affectionate. Let him know how cute he looks in that wool hat or how much you appreciate him driving to your mother's house for the holidays.
Get Summer Lovin’ —
All Year Long!
Four ways to make your relationship feel like a fabulous fling.
by Sara Eckel A couple on the beach.
During the summer, it’s so easy to be in love. Sun-kissed skin gives us all a gorgeous glow, and that extra daylight and warm-weather activity make us feel fantastic. Life is fun and easy — and so are your romantic relationships. But why is that euphoria so hard to maintain past Labor Day? "There is something about summer weather that’s uplifting [for couples]," says psychologist Lonnie Barbach, Ph.D., co-author of "Going the Distance: Finding and Keeping Lifelong Love." "The stuff you do in winter is less exhilarating. Sure, you can go to the movies or an art museum, but you have to dig out your raincoat and umbrella first." Spontaneity and joie de vivre may be harder to muster once the temperature outside drops, but there’s no need to throw in the romantic towel as soon as you shed your summer whites! Here are four pointers for mimicking summer lovin’ year-round:
Keep playtime a priority. From June through August, work worries take a backseat to frolicking on the beach and sipping wine at outdoor cafes. But when fall rolls around, we tend to neglect our carefree inner child and convince ourselves that we must answer all 47 e-mails in our in-box before we clock out. Curb your autumnal workaholic tendencies by planning fun activities after work, just as you did during the summer. Buy season tickets for two to your local symphony or theater company, sign up for a photography class together, or simply make reservations at your favorite restaurant — anything that inspires you to turn off your computer and get back to having fun with your honey. If you’ve moved from the wining and dining phase toward the "I dunno... what do you want to do?" phase, Dr. Barbach suggests that each of you take charge of planning a complete date once a month, be it a candlelight picnic on the living room floor or an evening out listening to live music. "It’s a conscious attempt to do what happens automatically during the honeymoon stage," she says.
Get Summer Lovin’ —
All Year Long!
Four ways to make your relationship feel like a fabulous fling.
by Sara Eckel A couple on the beach.
During the summer, it’s so easy to be in love. Sun-kissed skin gives us all a gorgeous glow, and that extra daylight and warm-weather activity make us feel fantastic. Life is fun and easy — and so are your romantic relationships. But why is that euphoria so hard to maintain past Labor Day? "There is something about summer weather that’s uplifting [for couples]," says psychologist Lonnie Barbach, Ph.D., co-author of "Going the Distance: Finding and Keeping Lifelong Love." "The stuff you do in winter is less exhilarating. Sure, you can go to the movies or an art museum, but you have to dig out your raincoat and umbrella first." Spontaneity and joie de vivre may be harder to muster once the temperature outside drops, but there’s no need to throw in the romantic towel as soon as you shed your summer whites! Here are four pointers for mimicking summer lovin’ year-round:
Keep playtime a priority. From June through August, work worries take a backseat to frolicking on the beach and sipping wine at outdoor cafes. But when fall rolls around, we tend to neglect our carefree inner child and convince ourselves that we must answer all 47 e-mails in our in-box before we clock out. Curb your autumnal workaholic tendencies by planning fun activities after work, just as you did during the summer. Buy season tickets for two to your local symphony or theater company, sign up for a photography class together, or simply make reservations at your favorite restaurant — anything that inspires you to turn off your computer and get back to having fun with your honey. If you’ve moved from the wining and dining phase toward the "I dunno... what do you want to do?" phase, Dr. Barbach suggests that each of you take charge of planning a complete date once a month, be it a candlelight picnic on the living room floor or an evening out listening to live music. "It’s a conscious attempt to do what happens automatically during the honeymoon stage," she says.
Get Summer Lovin’ — All Year Long!
Four ways to make your relationship feel like a fabulous fling.
( Continued from page 1. )
Indulge your senses. Summer is sexy in part because it's such a feast for the senses: the taste of fresh watermelon, the smell of salt air, the feel of the sun on your shoulders. But cooler months offer their own sensual pleasures, such as the sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet, the coziness of a roaring fire in the fireplace and the smell of fresh-baked apple pie. Make it a priority to enjoy these seasonal delights with your loved one. Arrange apple-picking dates, hiking trips amid fall foliage or quality pumpkin-carving time. You may not have the summer sun, but you do have someone to snuggle with to heat things up!
Don't be afraid to be sexy. Sunlight and exercise are both libido boosters — your between-the-sheets life was probably hot this summer. Now that the weather is chillier, your love affair might be cooling off a bit too. Don't fret. Remember that many a summer romance begins as a lust-fueled fling, whereas a long-term relationship is built on more than just fireworks in bed. Nonetheless, you can keep the summer sparks flying by paying attention to your needs and desires. Contrary to what you might think, "there was nothing spontaneous about your [summer romps]," suggests Barbach. "The sex was definitely planned." Before you hit the town on those hot summer nights, you probably picked a sexy outfit, shaved your legs, painted your toenails and flaunted your let's-have-some-fun attitude. You can still do all those things (just don't forget a warm layer of clothing!). Also, don’t be afraid to schedule your sexual encounters — and then look forward to them all day. Is it hot in here?
Keep up the compliments. On those delicious summer nights, you let him know how great he looked with a tan, how impressed you were by his boating skills, how much you appreciated the barbecue dinners he cooked for you. "Once a relationship matures, there’s an expectation that you don't have to say those things anymore," says Barbach. "But, in fact, saying those things is essential." Just because your life isn't as sunny right now, don't lose sight of the things that bring light and happiness into your life. Be affectionate. Let him know how cute he looks in that wool hat or how much you appreciate him driving to your mother's house for the holidays.