02 CURB HANGER
If you plan to broach a tough subject on date night, for God’s sake wait until after the breadbasket has arrived. An Ohio State University study found couples are less reasonable when their blood sugar is low. Make lunch, not war.
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03 GET OUT OF BED
Find a sitter for the kids/cat/your static housemate. The University of Montreal found 82 per cent of women fantasise about sex in an unconventional location, making finding her hot spot crucial. Plus that adrenaline lush lingers as an aphrodisiac for weeks afterward.
04 NEVER GUESS
Before you blow half a month’s wages on that Valentino clutch, know that gratitude doesn’t increase with outlay. Instead, buying an “experience”, such as gig tickets, is proven to impress. Material surprises can be surprisingly poorly received.
05 TAKE TWENTY
This is how many minutes it takes for biological stress markers to stabilise after conflict. Set your mental timer and excuse yourself. Returning home with the caution of a bomb-disposal expert is no longer required.
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06 TUNE IT OUT
Throw some (Johnny) Cash at her while discussing your spending habits. Emotional music bumps up her “bonding hormone” oxytocin by 20 per cent. A study in Physiological Science found this heightens trust between partners when making financial decisions, reducing the odds of dispute.
07 SCARE HER
No, not by leaping out from behind a door. Take her jet-skiing or climbing. A shared, sweaty-palmed cortisol surge mimics the early stages of sexual attraction, making couples feel closer, according to Claremont Graduate University.
08 LET HER LIE
Women are more affected by missed sleep than you, found the UK’s Sleep Council – one bad night can make them irritable for hours. A tyrosine-rich diet can reduce the effect, so ensure salmon and eggs are on the breakfast menu.
09 DISH UP DIRT
Unsure when to file a filthy request? Keep pre-coital chat clean and save X-rated ideas until after the act. A study in Communication Monographs found that orgasms increase openness, making a positive response considerably more likely.
10 GET EMOJINAL
Similar writing styles are a key predictor of long-term compatibility. Whether her well-punctuated texts would impress an English professor or her emails are omg enthusiastic!, respond in kind for a better reply.
11 JUST. GO. AWAY
It’s true what they say about absence, though the benefits extend well beyond the heart. Couples who spend a night apart every month have twice as much sex as those who don’t, reports a survey by Blue Rainbow Aparthotels. Girls’ weekend? Well, what’s good for the goose...