It’s crazy how a pandemic can quickly show us how a romantic relationship is going. Some couples say it has brought a new sense of closeness while others have experienced a whole new level of hopelessness when it comes to their love life.

Did you know that roughly 40 percent of people have “experienced boredom” while living with their significant other during the pandemic in the United States? Whether you’re one of the happiest couples, you’re on the brink of divorce, or you merely need a little bit of renewal when it comes to excitement in your relationship, check out these five ways to add some excitement to your couple time.

1. A Couples Retreat

In the United States, 34 percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 55 reported that the pandemic increased stress in their marriages. Before you’re on the brink of divorce or actively struggling to maintain openness and intimacy with your partner, it may be a good idea to use couples therapy to fine-tune your own marriage with a couples retreat. Considering that, often, a couples retreat can do what a whole year’s worth of couples therapy can do in only one five-day retreat, this could be the best solution to existing brokenness in your relationship.

By searching ”marriage retreats near me“ and booking the service, you will do workshops that are both for personal counseling as well as marriage counseling. Personal counseling helps you discover negative behaviors and emotions that cause distance in your relationship. And marriage counseling helps you learn practical tools to strengthen your bond with your partner. This intensive retreat will help you live better as a married couple, work on reconciliation from past issues, and teach you how to re-establish the closeness and intimacy that make a great marriage.

2. A Sexy Cabin

Whether you’re looking to relocate permanently, to purchase a vacation home, or you’re looking for a place for a simple romantic getaway, looking into log cabin homes in North Carolina is just the secluded and romantic option perfect to rekindle that spark. Each cabin is unique, cozy, and comes at a fair price. There are options ranging from up to five bedrooms and four bathrooms to something smaller with an intimate two bedrooms and up to two bathrooms so each person can have their own private bathroom (another great way to keep that spark alive—not having to share a sink!).

3. Something New

Regardless of whether it’s a new activity you’ve never done before (maybe a paint night or an escape room?) or trying something new in the bedroom, trying new things together is a great way to maintain a level of excitement and closeness in a long-term relationship. Plus, even if you end up hating it, it will still give you even more things to talk about and learn about each other.

4. Surprise Them

When you’re first in a relationship you’re always surprising your partner with random gifts, special nights out, and new pieces of interesting information they didn’t know about you. But once you’ve been together for several years, there aren’t any more surprises, and you may even be in a bit of a rut. That’s why it’s important to make time to still surprise each other. Even something as small as placing a rose and a cute little love note on their desk can be the surprising romantic gesture that makes their day.

5. Play

2020 article published in The New York Times noted how playing as an adult can improve overall well-being and improve your ability to relieve stress. Both of these are incredibly needed not only on an individual level but also because this can help strengthen your closeness with your partner and help you learn to relax and have a good time together.

Whether it’s doing something just because “it’s fun” like renting a motorcycle for the day to check out the fall foliage or getting kicked out of Walmart for having a Nerf war, do something that introduces your partner to your inner child.