Six Ways to Reconnect with Your Partner By Margarita Tartakovsky l Marriage Advice l Relationship Advice l Love Advice

There are numerous reasons why couples become disconnected. According to psychotherapist and relationship expert Christina Steinorth-Powell, the main reason is that couples stop trying. “Staying connected takes effort - you have to want to stay connected.”

Connection also requires consistency. This includes being consistent in how you are and how you treat your partner, she said.

“If you’re one person before you walk down the aisle and turn into someone else five years down the line, there’s a very good chance your connection with your partner will suffer.”

While it’s normal to change over time, some partners become less compassionate, understanding and attuned to their partner, which corrodes connection. If you’ve been feeling disconnected, Steinorth-Powell suggested these six tips.

Do What You Did When You Dated

When people start dating, they usually enjoy fun activities together, such as cooking, playing sports, going out and even traveling, Steinorth-Powell said. However, when couples start disconnecting, they tend to do less of the activities that actually brought them together, she said. Not surprisingly, “this, in turn, furthers the disconnect.”

Remember what you did when you first started dating, and engage in those activities, again. This helps you remember why you connected in the first place, gives you more experiences to bond over and provides sweet memories to reminisce about in the future, she said.

Feeling disconnected from your partner can be overwhelming. But start small. Talk to each other, get interested in their interests and participate in activities that connected you when you met.