7 Ways to Avoid the Winter Relationship Blues

Tuesday, 28 December 2010

7 Ways to Avoid the Winter Relationship Blues

It's that time of year again. It's cold, the holidays are stressful, money is tight, and activities between you and your significant other are limited when the temperatures are frigid. Often times many relationships fail around this time of year... and the cold and stress truly does contribute to this. Winter doesn't always have to be a depressing time to date. In fact, it is a beautiful time to date. Embrace the weather and everything that comes with it. It only lasts for so long!

Here are some ideas of things to do to prevent your encounter with the dreaded relationship blues:

1. Don't be repetitive. Doing the same things over and over again will make your relationship seem redundant and too routine-like. Add some sugar, spice, and most importantly, surprise. Instead of settling down to pop a DVD into the tv, do something corny and classic, such as playing a board game like Monopoly. This not only summons your childlike side... it makes you guys compete. Besides, it's probably something you don't do every day!

2. If the weather is cold and you're both cooped up inside... why not cook a dinner together? If you're looking for a serious relationship, a simple task such as this can show a lot about another person. If you are both willing to work together... that might show that you are both willing to make your relationship work too! Girls, you're not the only ones who are meant to be in the kitchen, so throw that stereotype in the trash can and have some fun with your man at the stove. Who knows, maybe a small food fight will break out while you're preparing your food (just don't forget to watch what you're cooking). It is cute to prepare a dinner together and sit down to a romantic candle lit meal! This also opens up chances to ask each other questions about what foods you like!

3. Do unusual, but nice things for each other. Hide a note in your SO's car saying how you thought your last date was, etc. How much they mean to you... hey, it is really cheesy but guys and girls both dig that stuff. It will really brighten his/her day when the note is found (try not to hide it in a place that will take more than a day or two to find).

4. Spice up your night by trying not to kiss your SO on the lips. Kiss his/her hands, neck, cheeks, but not the lips. It's a nice tease, but it also makes you both appreciate simplicity while strengthening your relationship. Don't tell them what's going on, and when they try to go for your lips--turn away. They'll will probably catch on that they are being teased, but people usually like this kind of stuff.

5. Do more kind gestures for each other. Give a surprise back rub. Get your girl some flowers out of random... maybe even a single rose. Make your SO a mix cd of music you think he/she might enjoy. This also lets them get a better idea of what kind of music you like as well!

6. If it's snowy.. go outside. Build a huge snow man, have a snowball fight, tackle each other and kiss in the snow... just make the most out of the snowy experience. Even a hike in the woods while it's snowing is nice and romantic! If your budget isn't too low.. go somewhere to enjoy the weather. Ice skating, skiing, snow boarding, etc... it's spontaneous! Some spontaneity is always good for a relationship!

7. Around the holidays, people tend to be a little secretive since everybody is Christmas shopping and stressed out. Well, Christmas is over now so try to open up a little more. Communicate. Put the phone aside and stop texting. Face to face conversations really warm the heart. Talk about how you feel, your day, and the normal conversation things.. but try to go beyond that and delve into some deeper conversations. You could talk about your dreams and your childhood, etc. Just communicate and be completely honest with each other. Ask each other awkward questions to break the ice if it hasn't been broken in a while...anything, really. Communication is a critical element to a relationship, though, so try to be very clear with each other about everything. Secretive behaviors are shady, and often make your SO keep a certain distance from you while this act is going on.

How do you spice up your relationship in the winter?
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