4 Ways to Improve Your Love Life

by SHAPE Magazine,

1. Have more fun in bed
To spice up your sex life, skip the lingerie and buy sneakers instead. People who regularly work up a sweat outside the bedroom feel more sexually desirable, finds a study at the University of Arkansas. Other research from Duke University Medical Center shows that when overweight men and women lost just 10 percent of their body weight, they enjoyed sex more. Get moving and watch your between-the-sheets confidence soar.

2. Limit your TV time
Research from Purdue University reveals that people who chat while the TV is blaring look at their companions 36 percent less often than they do when it's turned off—and that results in a less satisfying exchange. "Even if TV serves as background noise, you're distracted," says study author Glenn Sparks, professor of communication. His recommendation: Watch only the shows you truly love. "With the set turned off the rest of the time," says Sparks, "you'll create more opportunities for conversation and be able to focus on your loved one as you talk."

3. Laugh together
Laughter can lower blood pressure and burn calories, but it may also strengthen your bond with your guy. According to a new study in the journal Motivation and Emotion, couples who reminisced about sharing a laugh were more satisfied with their relationships than those who didn't. "Laughing together builds a supply of good memories," says lead author Doris Bazzini. "You'll call on it later, when times get tough."

4. Communicate better
Some people say you shouldn't have serious conversations in the bedroom, but it can be one of the best places for couples to reconnect without distractions. Here are some communication-improving tips:

* Set aside time to just talk in bed. Though many couples find nighttime the most convenient, others may prefer to have coffee together in bed in the a.m.

* Put the cell phones in another room; then turn off the computers, PDAs, and the ringer on the landline.

* Keep it positive. Never start the conversation with an accusation or question, advises Sally. So instead of saying, "Why don't we ever go out anymore?" try, "I wish we could spend more time together."

* Don't rule any topic out of bounds. It's all about reconnecting once a day, without any outside distractions. And who knows, she says, a great conversation may lead to something else!