TRICKS TO LET OFF STEAM... AND BOOST PASSION

BEFORE engaging with your partner, soothe your jangled nerves through yoga, a walk, or listening to music. Be your own ‘retreat director’.

BEING together every minute kills passion. And try to banish ‘administrivia’ — practical talk — from couple time. UNDERSTANDING one another will improve your connection. Ask ‘How are you feeling? Is there something you want to discuss?’

DON’T comfort your partner in a way that suppresses their reaction, ie by saying, ‘It’s OK, stop.’ If you make space for someone’s grief or fear to come out, it will subside.

AN OUTBURST of emotion can confuse your partner if they are more reserved. So you might say, ‘I just need to let off steam. I don’t need you to fix it.’ Or,

they might say, ‘Are you venting, or do we need to address this?’

TO RELEASE stress, try non-linear movement. Perhaps you feel tension in your shoulder. Rotate it then ‘move with your feeling’, twisting and stretching for five minutes. Try it with your partner, maybe while touching hands or hugging. Michaela says this is bonding without it being ‘a big deal’.