If you want to watch Netflix more than you want to make love, you're not alone. A recent study showed that a staggering 75% of couples feel like their relationship has lost its spark. What's more, some psychologists estimate that up to 20% of couples have sex no more than 10 times a year. Ouch.
Luckily, you're not consigned to a lifetime of platonic nights cuddling on the couch: There's a way to recharge your libidos in just one week. It's called the 7-Day Intimacy Challenge.
The challenge is as simple as it sounds. Commit to being intimate with your partner every day for an entire week (yes, it's possible!), and watch as the spark returns.
How exactly will this challenge rekindle your flame? Simply put, when you and your partner commit to a full week of intimacy, sex becomes a top priority again. A much-needed sense of courtship and adventure will be restored to your relationship.
It might seem daunting at first, but after just a week of intimacy, you and your partner will have a new (much sexier) normal. Now jump into bed and follow this ultimate guide to save your sex life in just 7 days.
Day 1: Recreate intimacy from early on in your relationship. Kick off the challenge by recreating intimacy from before you lost the spark. Research shows that nostalgia can literally revive dying relationships. Play a song that evokes your early years together, break out some long-hidden lingerie, or use sexy pet names from when you first fell in love.
Day 2: Explore a fantasy you've never tried before. On Day 2, keep the momentum going by exploring a fantasy with your partner. Fantasies are a crucial part of physical intimacy, and feeling safe enough to act on them has been shown to greatly enhance overall sex life.
Day 3: Keep it spontaneous. Spontaneity during a planned intimacy challenge sounds counterintuitive--but it's not! On Day 3, surprise your partner with sex at an unexpected time. Get things started in the morning, or head into the bedroom before dinner to spice things up at night.
Day 4: Switch it up. You're more than half-way done! To keep things interesting, switch up your typical love-making routine by trading top/bottom positions with your partner. The simple act of changing your vantage point will add a dose of excitement to keep you both in the game.
Day 5: Pick a place outside the bedroom. Whether it's the living room, the guest bedroom--or the car if you're feeling crazy--you'll see each other in a whole new light. Research shows that expanding love-making outside the bedroom brings couples closer together, and increases feelings of sexual empowerment. Get to it!
Day 6: Plan a date night. The challenge is almost over--don't give up yet! Instead, key up the romance by planning a dreamy date night that brings you back to your dating days. Studies show that date nights actually increase sexual satisfaction in both men and women, so expect great things.
Day 7: Do it--and talk about it. Communication is king. Close out your 7-Day Intimacy Challenge by talking with your partner during or after sex. An open conversation about your physical intimacy will continue the momentum you've built over the past week. Other benefits of pillow talk include higher sexual self-esteem, more pleasure, and less apprehension.