5 Things couples can do to maintain desire in long term relationships

Diminished desire is one of the most common challenges in long-term relationships, often leading to mismatched libidos, resentment, and disconnection between partners. Rekindling intimacy starts with letting go of the myth of spontaneous desire and recognizing that both spontaneous and responsive desire require effort, planning, and prioritization. Open communication about wants, needs, and evolving preferences is key, as is focusing on quality over quantity when it comes to sex. Expanding your definition of intimacy beyond intercourse, embracing pleasure as the guiding principle, and rejecting rigid ideas of what’s “normal” can help couples rediscover connection and satisfaction in their sex lives.