Today Show's 2009 Relationship Resolutions

Did your relationship suffer a beating in 2008 along with the economy?  If so, you’re not alone.  I’m sure this was tough year for many couples.  The Today show offered some tips for making 2009 a better year so that you can get the most out of your time with your special someone.  Here are the tips (along with my commentary):

1. Have more sex – I know this seems like a really obvious suggestion but this really is an area that gets neglected when you are stressed, anxious or tired (or all of the above!).  The experts suggest aiming for having sex at least once a week.
2. Pitch in more around the house – To use a quote from the original article “researchers in the Netherlands found that ‘the key to female arousal seems to be deep relaxation and a lack of anxiety.’” I know that there’s nothing hotter to me than having my husband pitch in a little more around the house so I can believe what the researchers found. 
3. Hug more frequently - A 20-second hug releases oxytocin, a hormone that can help facilitate a sense of connection for women but, remarkably, men need a full 60 seconds of cuddling to have the same feelings.  So, when you start you part ways in the morning or greet each other when you come home at night, try to remember to hold on a little longer so that you can get all those good hormones from hugging!
4. Look into your loved one’s eyes when you say ‘I love you’ – need I say more?  I know that those three words melt my heart a lot more when my hubby is looking straight at me. 
5. Be more positive – I struggle sometimes with this one so I’m definitely going to include this into my own relationship resolutions.  According to the original article, studies have shown that it is best if positive interactions are more common than negative ones by a ratio of 5 to 1.  Wow! 
6. Cuddle more after sex – sex is highly intimate and one of the best ways to capitalize on this connection is to continue to hold each other and snuggle after the deed is done. 
7. Keep it fresh – if you’ve been together a while, you may have fallen into a routine.  Before things get stale, change it up a bit.  Focus on what you can introduce into your relationship to continue to take it to the next level.
8. Stay healthy – you must take care of yourself!  I know that in today’s high-paced world, it’s hard to remember to eat right, exercise and just de-stress.  I am guilty of really neglecting myself in 2008 and I’m hoping to make 2009 different for me, my spouse and our family.
9. Share a fantasy or two – there’s nothing wrong with having fantasies so throw any associated guilt out the window!  Of course, if you are going to share one with your partner, avoid things that you know would hurt them (a fantasy about your wife’s cousin, for example). 
10. Unplug – here’s another one that is so tough for us but why not make a resolution to log off the internet at the end of the day and spend some “unplugged” time together.  Tune out technology and tune into love!