Scientists Reveal a Surprisingly Simple Task That Could Rekindle the Spark in Your Relationship

When you’ve lived with someone for many years, it’s all too easy to let life get in the way and the spark will die out.

But psychologists from the University of Missouri-St. Louis from the USA has found a surprisingly easy way to rekindle passion and all you need is a photo.

Research has shown that looking at photos of your partner for just a few seconds can increase feelings of infatuation, attachment, and marital satisfaction.

“Viewing photographs of spouses is a simple strategy that can be used to stabilize marriages in which the main problem is the fading of love feelings over time,” the authors write.

A study has shown that looking at photos of your partner for just a few seconds can increase feelings of infatuation, affection, and marital satisfaction (stock image).

A study has shown that looking at photos of your partner for just a few seconds can increase feelings of infatuation, affection, and marital satisfaction (stock image).

The level of infatuation (A), affection (B), and marital satisfaction (C) of participants when viewing photos and statements.  Viewing images of a spouse gives the highest levels in all categories, and the previous positive statement did not matter.

The level of infatuation (A), affection (B), and marital satisfaction (C) of participants when viewing photos and statements. Viewing images of a spouse gives the highest levels in all categories, and the previous positive statement did not matter.

There’s nothing like the butterflies you feel at the start of a new relationship, but keeping them alive over the years isn’t always easy.

The sad, oft-quoted statistic is that 42 per cent of marriages in the UK end in divorce, and the divorce rate is predicted to decrease this year. hit a 50-year high.

Married couples stop loving for a variety of reasons. the most common reason is “unreasonable behavior” in 2021.

However, the researchers wanted to see if there was an easy way to help couples in long-term or distant relationships rekindle the spark.

This could be looking at pictures of their spouses, reading positive reviews about them, or both.

For a study published in Journal of Psychophysiologythey recruited 25 married people who had known their partners for an average of 11.9 years.

Participants first self-reported information about the length of their marriage, as well as the level of infatuation and affection for their spouse.

Participants were presented with a set of 25 photographs, each of which appeared on a computer screen for one second.  Some were non-intimate images of their spouses, while others were simply

Participants were presented with a set of 25 photographs, each of which appeared on a computer screen for one second. Some were non-intimate images of their spouses, while others were simply “nice” or “neutral” images that did not include their spouses. Before some of these images were shown, a statement appeared on the screen to help regulate the participant’s emotions. During the task, participants had to use a slider to indicate their level of infatuation and affection for their spouse, as well as satisfaction with their marriage. Pictured: experimental protocol

WHAT DID THE RESEARCH FIND?

Participants in the study were presented with a series of photographs, some of which showed their spouse, while others “pleasant” or “neutral” images without spouses.

Before some of them were shown, a statement would appear on the screen to help the contestant feel positive about the upcoming image.

When not preceded by a statement, participants themselves reported the largest increases in infatuation, attachment, and marital affection when viewing images of their spouse compared to other types of images.

Positive statements did not affect these self-reported scores for either spouse or pleasant images.

Therefore, it was concluded that simply having a photo of your partner on your desk or in your wallet increases your love for him.

Next, they were presented with a set of 25 photographs, each of which appeared on the computer screen for one second.

Some were non-intimate depictions of their spouses—either alone, with them, or with others—while others were simply “pleasant” or “neutral” images that do not feature their spouses.

Before some of these images were shown, a statement appeared on the screen to help regulate the participant’s emotions.

For example, before seeing a picture of their spouse, they might read “Think of one good thing about your spouse” or “Think of something nice your spouse did.”

Or, before seeing the usual nice image, they might read “This man is fulfilling his hang gliding dream” or “This man is celebrating his 100th birthday.”

Neutral images were never preceded by an emotional regulation prompt.

During the task, participants had to use a slider to indicate their level of infatuation and affection for their spouse, as well as satisfaction with their marriage.

They also had a late positive potential (LPP) — a voltage in the electrical activity of the brain that indicates emotional arousal — using electroencephalography.

Using this data, the researchers were able to evaluate which images reinforce love for one’s partner and whether previous positive statements had an effect.

The LPP boosted the images of spouses the most, but only to an average level with pleasant images and minimally with neutral images.  However, even though statements increased LPP with pleasing pictures, they did not affect this tension when they preceded spouse pictures.  Pictured: Average LPP for study participants when viewing images and statements.

The LPP boosted the images of spouses the most, but only to an average level with pleasant images and minimally with neutral images. However, even though statements increased LPP with pleasing pictures, they did not affect this tension when they preceded spouse pictures. Pictured: Average LPP for study participants when viewing images and statements.

When not preceded by an emotional regulation statement, participants themselves reported the largest increases in infatuation, attachment, and marital attachment when viewing images of their spouse compared to other types of images.

LPPs also boosted the images of the spouses the most, but only to an average level with pleasant images and minimally with neutral images.

However, even though statements increased LPP with pleasing pictures, they did not affect this tension when they preceded spouse pictures.

They also had no effect on self-reported scores for either spouse or pleasant images.

Therefore, it has been concluded that simply having a photo of your partner on your desk or in your wallet increases your love for them, at least in the short term.

The authors write, “This study shows that viewing photographs of spouses increases love and marital satisfaction, which is not associated with increased positive emotions unrelated to the spouse.”

Thinking about the memories of the past can improve your current relationship

Reflecting on the good times with your ex can make you more satisfied with your current partner, experts say.

Psychologists from the University of Kansas asked volunteers to reflect on nostalgic memories of a former lover.

This subsequently made them think more positively about their current relationship as it made them realize how much they have grown since then.

In the study, the researchers wrote: “Pleasant nostalgic memories of past relationships remind people of the positives of romantic relationships.

“We found that this led to an increase in the perceived quality of existing partnerships. These memories can be triggered by a favorite song or movie by a former lover.”

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