Want to keep the spark alive? THIS is what works (apparently)

Sep 4, 2018

After two years of looking at the same face, it's fair to say some elements of the relationship aren't so exciting anymore.

The honeymoon period is firmly over, and he's seen you more often than not, with a top bun and his trackies on.

However, it seems it's the little things that stand the test of time and go a long way in making our partnerships successful.

Superdrug surveyed 900 Europeans and Americans to find out precisely what small gestures we value the most from our relationships as time moves on.

In a list of the top ten small things you value most, both men and women rated the most important gesture to be their partner laughing at their jokes.

They say laughter is good medicine but remember: what's seldom is wonderful – (try chucking along to his fourth bad joke in a row – it's exhausting).

For women, the second spot was taken by when he 'smiles at me often or randomly' – ugh – SWOON.

However, for men 'buys me food I like' nabbed second place – remember ladies and gents, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach!

The list also included gestures like 'makes me meals', 'buys me gifts' and remembering personal details about their life.

Getting down to the saucy bit, the participates were asked what were the small things that got them in the mood. – Spoiler alert: it's not picking your dirty socks off the floor.

But next time you want to arouse your partner, tell them that they're sexy or attractive, as both men and women rated this as their number one turn on.

In fact, the survey found that over 31 percent of men and 36.7 percent of women remarked that getting a compliment from their partner calling them “sexy” or “attractive” put them on a fast track to sticking on some Barry White.

Second place for women is when her partner 'buys her experiences', whereas men choose completely differently, with 'gives me a towel when I'm fresh out of a shower'…okay then, lads. I guess it's the little things that count.

Now here is when things get VERY interesting.

Those who took part answered questions about the importance of little things by the length of the relationship.

Say goodbye to buying your boyfriend a burrito, micro-attractions in a relationship, such as buying your partner's favourite foods died a death around the five to 10 years mark into the relationship.

However, remembering to buy your significant other a birthday pressie is a way to earn brownie points, long-term.

'Smiling at them often and randomly' was also a very popular gesture as the years went by.

And surprising your partner with gifts after 10 years together is the way to go.

Keeping things spicy in the bedroom can be a challenge as the years turn into decades.

Nevertheless, it doesn't mean that your sex life will be non-existent, it just changes with time – like a fine wine.

Offers of slipping into something sexy, walking around in the nip and telling your other half what a sexy beast he is, takes a serious decline after 10 years together.

However, never underestimate simplicity.

Handing them a towel after a shower, flashing an ole smile at them and giving them a pet name meant more to a loved-up person.

In fact, individuals in the five to the 10-year range found smiling to be the least important on the timeline, but a whopping 22.6 percent of longer-term partners felt receiving a smile randomly or often was a huge factor in arousal.