'We're Busy And Spend Less Time With Each Other'

Ahead of Valentine's Day, Rediff's LOVE GURU recommends simple hacks to get rid of the boredom that tends to creep into a long-term relationship.

When was the last time you lovingly held your partner's hand?

Sat down for a quiet dinner or laughed together over a silly joke?

In most long-term relationships, including love marriages, couples tend to spend less time in each other's company as responsibilities take over.

Call it comfort, laziness or the lack of enthusiasm to make a sincere effort.

Over time, couples who communicate less end up believing that their relationship and intimacy is fading away.

Ahead of Valentine's Day, Rediff's Love Guru recommends simple hacks to spice up a long-term relationship.

• You can ask Love Guru your relationship and dating-related questions HERE

I am in a long-term romantic relationship and, recently, our lives have become very busy with work, family responsibilities and less time for each other.
Small misunderstandings sometimes turn into arguments and I feel that the emotional closeness we once had is slowly fading.
In this real-life situation, what qualities do you believe help a romantic relationship grow deeper and last over time?

Romance doesn't grow deeper, my dear. The spark fades for everyone over time.

What you do need to do is establish a relationship firmly in love, mutual respect and commitment so that even when things get rough, you weather it all together.

And yes, making time for each other -- say like a date night once a week, just the two of you -- couldn't hurt.

It will help you stay connected.

• You can ask Love Guru your relationship and dating-related questions HERE

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