‘New Relationship Energy’ has been a hot topic of discussion on the internet lately and if you’re not familiar with the term, we’re here to break it down for you. According to psychologists, the term new relationship energy, or simply NRE, refers to the intoxicating feelings of elation and happiness that one feels that the beginning of a brand-new relationship. In layman’s terms, you could also call it the ‘honeymoon period’ of a relationship, when two new partners seem to be so smitten with each other that the entire world suddenly becomes a bright, sunny, happy place.
If you’ve ever been in a relationship, you’ve experienced the magic of NRE. Remember the days you spent staying up all night talking on the phone with a new partner, losing all sense of time and space? To put it plainly, it can make you feel like the world is a big bright oyster of puppy kisses, butterflies and cupcakes. According to Dr Laurel Steinberg, licensed psychotherapist and adjunct professor of psychology at Columbia University, science, and not magic, is responsible for NRE. When you meet someone new, your brain releases a cocktail of intoxicating ‘happy hormones’ including dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, that are responsible for that constant state of excitement.
Most people would argue that the beginning phases of a relationship are the best ones, and we can’t really argue with that. However, what do you do when NRE begins to fade away? Some relationships make a natural transition from the excitement of NRE to a comfortable place of mutual trust and deep understanding. Others, however, tend to fall apart after the hormones wear off and the rose-tinted glasses come off: such couples might decide that they aren’t really compatible after all and decide to part ways.
5 Ways To Make New Relationship Energy Last
If you want to keep the magic of NRE alive in your long-term relationship, these tips could help you out.
1. Keep Trying New Things
The primary reason that a new relationship feels exciting has less to do with how amazing your partner is (even if they’re really that amazing) and more to do with the thrill of discovering new things you like about them. Ever heard of the couple who, at the beginning of their relationship did new and exciting things together, but later would only stay in to watch Netflix and eat takeout food? Yeah, don’t be that couple. To keep that NRE going, you need to continue to do new and exciting things together–even if you have to plan and schedule it into your calendar!
2. Don’t Rush Into It
Sometimes, the excitement of NRE can make things seem more intense than they actually are, and this leads to couples moving too fast, because they just can’t seem to get enough of each other. Celebrities rushing into engagements after only a couple of months of being together is the perfect example of this. Because once the chemicals wear off, you might want to re-think all the passionate decisions you made in the heat of the moment. If you really want your new relationship to last, experts suggest that you take it slow and steady. We get it, you want to spend a lot of time with your new boo, but make sure you continue to do other things that interest you. Having your own lives outside of the relationship will help make it last.
Also Read How To Deal With Divorce
3, Adopt Proper Communication Habits
You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘communication is the key’ when it comes to relationship advice a million times–and that’s because it’s true. Unless you’re a mind reader, the only way to understand your partner is to communicate with them. When you’re in the initial phase of your relationship and everything seems rosy, communication might take a back seat. So make sure you don’t let that happen by adopting healthy communication practices that will pave the way for a happy, healthy and thriving relationship.
4. Make each Other Laugh
The most important factor when it comes to sustaining new relationship energy in a long-term relationship is positivity. It sounds cliche, but couples who laugh together stay together. So even though you might weather some intense moments together as a couple, always remember to maintain positive energy and keep things light and happy whenever you can. Negativity can suck any relationship dry, which will eventually lead to its demise.
5. Don’t Get Too Comfortable
Sure, it feels amazing when you and your partner are so close that you don’t need to make any efforts to impress them. And while that is great news for your relationship, there is such a thing as too much comfort. If you don’t set aside time to nurture the relationship like having date nights or planning vacations together, you will end up getting stuck in a rut. And nothing kills a relationship faster than boredom!
So while the excitement of a new relationship is one of the best feelings you can experience, it takes a lot more effort to make the relationship last. Loving, laughing with and respecting your partner are the keys to making sure your relationship is in for the long-haul.
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