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Marriage & Long-Term · 6 min read

Keeping the Spark Alive: Rekindling Intimacy in Long-Term Relationships

As years pass, passion can wane. Discover expert-backed methods to reignite desire, deepen emotional intimacy, and keep your long-term relationship vibrant and exciting.

Keeping the Spark Alive: Rekindling Intimacy in Long-Term Relationships — Marriage & Long-Term article on Next Boyfriend

Jessica Radloff · March 13, 2026

Our take

This is a briefing on “Keeping the Spark Alive: Rekindling Intimacy in Long-Term Relationships,” summarized from Glamour and filed under Marriage & Long-Term. Read it as a map of that source’s argument, then use the original before you treat any claim as settled. The useful question for dating is not whether the headline is catchy — it is which part of it changes what you do next.

Written for this page from the title, topic, and named source. It does not add claims that are not in the piece.

Key takeaways

  • It's natural for the intense passion of early romance to evolve.
  • Introducing novelty, whether through new dates, shared hobbies, or travel, can reactivate the brain's reward system and create fresh memories.
  • Open and honest conversation about sexual desires, fantasies, and boundaries is paramount.
  • Beyond sexual acts, non-sexual touch—holding hands, cuddling, gentle caresses—plays a vital role in maintaining connection and reducing stress.

Beyond the Honeymoon Phase

It's natural for the intense passion of early romance to evolve. This Glamour article acknowledges that maintaining sexual and emotional intimacy in long-term relationships requires conscious effort and creativity. It's about nurturing the connection rather than expecting it to effortlessly sustain itself.

The Power of Novelty and Shared Experiences

Introducing novelty, whether through new dates, shared hobbies, or travel, can reactivate the brain's reward system and create fresh memories. The piece suggests that couples who continue to explore and learn together are more likely to feel a renewed sense of excitement and connection.

Communicating Desires and Needs

Open and honest conversation about sexual desires, fantasies, and boundaries is paramount. The article encourages couples to overcome discomfort and engage in ongoing dialogue about their intimate life, fostering a safe space for vulnerability and exploration. It emphasizes that intimacy isn't just physical, but also emotional.

Prioritizing Touch and Affection

Beyond sexual acts, non-sexual touch—holding hands, cuddling, gentle caresses—plays a vital role in maintaining connection and reducing stress. The article reminds readers that consistent physical affection builds emotional bridges and reinforces feelings of love and security.

Originally published on Glamour. Read the full article for more details.

Questions about Marriage & Long-Term

What is the most common cause of divorce?

Surveys consistently point to gradual erosion — lack of commitment, persistent unresolved conflict, and growing apart — rather than single dramatic events. Infidelity appears frequently but often as a symptom of a relationship that had already disengaged.

Is the honeymoon phase supposed to end?

Yes. The neurochemistry of early infatuation is not sustainable and typically settles between one and two years. The transition to companionate love is not a failure; couples who expect it navigate it far better than couples who read it as lost love.

When should couples go to therapy?

Earlier than most do. The commonly cited figure is that couples wait around six years after problems surface. Counselling is most effective before contempt has set in, and treating it as maintenance rather than a last resort substantially improves outcomes.

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