The first stage of every relationship is always the most exciting. Couples are thrilled to spend majority of their time with each other, and everything they do is a new experience to treasure.
But as the relationship progresses, and couples have already done almost everything together, they can fall into a rut. When this happens, "couple time" doesn't sound as exciting anymore and people can feel bored and even start wondering if they should still be in the relationship.
So how do couples fix their relationship rut? Elizabeth Earnshaw, a therapist in Philadelphia, told The Huffington Post that couples should simply learn how to be more proactive about planning their time together.
"It takes a conscious effort to recognize the things you've stopped doing or do new things," she said. "Couples that partake in rituals with each other and have plans for the future are often doing so because they feel connected and invested."
Earnshaw suggested that couples find a new hobby that they are both interested in, or do random acts of thoughtfulness out of the blue for each other, such as picking up their favorite takeout on the way home or surprising their partners with a home-cooked meal after a long day's work.
"It won't feel that way at first, but over time, these deposits into your relationship will build into a big investment," she said.
Alicia H. Clark, a psychologist in Washington, D.C., said that technology has helped bridge relationships all over the globe, but it has also destroyed countless relationships. People can be so addicted to their smartphones and tablets that they neglect their partners, so Clark said it's important for couples to take a break from their gadgets from time to time.
"Take some time when you are together to put your phones away and talk," she suggested. "If you aren't sure where to start, have new conversation starters up your sleeve to help you."
Sometimes, couples can forget to prioritize conversation. Danielle Kepler, a therapist in Chicago, has some tips.
"If it's a lack of uninterrupted time together, you may have to schedule some catch-up time," Kepler said. "And if they don't pay attention when you want to talk, be sure to bring it up in a way that's noncritical. Say: 'Hey, I feel let down when I try to discuss something important that happened in my day and you shrug me off.'"
Meanwhile, Deanna and Stephen Kaech wrote in an article for Believe that going on occasional dates helps couples to avoid relationship ruts. They said couples should occasionally take a step back and remember the fun and romance they used to enjoy.
"Set aside time to make sure your marriage doesn't fall into a rut. A little maneuvering along the way is a lot easier than digging your marriage out of a ditch someday in the future," they said.
