• Vanessa Trump Makes Future Plans with Tiger Woods After Beating Cancer

  Vanessa Trump and Tiger Woods are looking to move forward in their relationship after a difficult year in which the former daughter-in-law of US President Donald Trump battled breast cancer while the golfer faced the aftermath of a car accident...

• “Porn Isn’t the Problem”: Adult Film Star Identifies the Main Cause of Gen Z’s Sexual Recession

  Generation Z is increasingly facing a paradox: young people want intimacy, yet real-life sexual relationships are becoming less common...

• Men Reveal the Part of a Woman’s Body That Drives Them Wild

  Men have admitted that they find women’s necks particularly attractive — a sensitive area that is often overlooked. According to sexologists, its appeal lies not only in touches and kisses, but also in the sense of intimacy, vulnerability and trust between partners...

• It’s Not Just About Looks: Sexologist Explains Why Younger Men Are Attracted to Older Women

  As women get older, they often become more confident in their sexuality, gain a better understanding of their own desires and become less concerned with other people’s opinions. According to an expert, these qualities can be particularly appealing to younger men, although relationships with a significant age gap also come with their own challenges...

• Your Smartphone Could Be Stealing Years of Your Life: Scientists Warn of the Consequences of Endless Scrolling

  Spending hours scrolling through social media may have far more serious consequences for health than previously thought. According to a major scientific review, excessive screen use is linked to millions of years of life lived with mental health disorders...

• Girls and Boys Begin Responding to the World Differently Just Hours After Birth

  Researchers at the University of Cambridge suggest that factors acting before birth may play a role, particularly levels of sex hormones. Another possibility, they say, is that the differences may be linked to slightly faster cognitive maturation in girls during the first days of life...

• ‘The Bathroom Is Their Secret Weapon’: Divorce Expert Claims Men Use Long Toilet Breaks to Escape Family Life

  A divorce expert has stirred up the never-ending “battle of the sexes” by claiming that men have supposedly turned trips to the bathroom into a kind of escape route from family responsibilities...

• British Scientists Discover Why Men Who Are Too Generous May Put Women Off

  British scientists have once again tackled one of life’s most pressing questions: what exactly gets in the way of building a successful relationship? This time, they turned their attention to men who are especially generous with charitable donations...

The secret to a happy, lasting marriage lies not only in compatibility but also in the ability to maintain emotional intimacy. A study published in the journal Family Process found that better communication and greater emotional security are associated with higher relationship satisfaction.

Dr. Tammy Nelson, a Los Angeles-based sexologist and family therapist, has identified five common mistakes that can weaken the bond between partners.

1. Assuming You Already Know Everything About Each Other

Familiarity can dull your interest in your partner. However, their desires, views and dreams change over time.

“Don’t put your partner in a box. Who are they becoming? What are they thinking about? What do they want? How do they envision their future?” Nelson advises. According to the therapist, attention from someone else can seem particularly appealing when a relationship lacks curiosity and mutual interest.

2. Avoiding Difficult Conversations

Keeping problems to yourself does not always help maintain peace. On the contrary, refusing to discuss money, sex and other sensitive subjects can gradually drive partners apart.

“Pay attention to what you’re not talking about and why,” the expert recommends.

3. Focusing on Problems in Your Sex Life

Constant criticism of a partner can increase tension and get in the way of intimacy. Instead of finding fault, Nelson advises couples to talk about what they enjoy and share their desires without placing blame.

“Start with what you appreciate, then talk about what you’d like more of. Build on what’s already working,” the sexologist suggests.

4. Getting Stuck in a Daily Routine

Life together involves dealing with everyday responsibilities, but chores and practical matters alone are not enough to sustain a relationship. Couples need to make time for new experiences and shared discoveries.

At the same time, an overly busy schedule can also interfere with intimacy, making it important to strike a balance between novelty, relaxation and quiet time together.

“Every relationship needs both freedom and connection between partners,” Nelson emphasises.

5. Failing to Express Your Feelings

Even when people feel tenderness and love, they do not always put those emotions into words. According to the expert, it is important to share positive feelings and show your partner how much they mean to you.

“When I think of you, I get this warm feeling in my heart,” Nelson suggests as an example of simple words that can mean a great deal to someone you love.

Ultimately, maintaining intimacy requires genuine curiosity about each other, open communication and a willingness to keep discovering your partner, even after years of living together.

Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram