Once the honeymoon’s over and you settle into the humdrum pattern of everyday life, it’s easy to get bored. Sex might go from something you do because you can’t keep your hands off each other to free entertainment on a Friday night because there’s nothing on TV.

Most of us assume the sex we enjoy in the first heady days of a relationship is the best we can expect, and it’s all down hill from there. But here’s the good news. It can get better over time rather than worse, and it’s easy to put the freshness back. In fact, if you’ve been together for some time, it can even become more exciting and adventurous than early-days sex.

The one big advantage an established couple has over a new one is the increased level of trust. This makes it more comfortable to ask for something different and new that might be embarrassing with a relative stranger.

To keep things exciting, you’ll have to go out of your way to make romantic gestures and suggest new approaches, but it’s worth it. You can put fire and excitement into an established relationship far more easily than you can put trust into a new one.

3. Leave a love note, in a briefcase or on the TV screen. Or request a love song on the radio.

4. Blow a kiss - or just start flirting.

5. Give flowers.

6. Keep in touch. When you’re apart, send a text or email, or pick up the phone.

7. Write “I love you” in lipstick on the mirror or in glow-in-the-dark chalk on the front wall.

2. Go charity shopping. While away the hours browsing for books, CDs, games, retro clothing, bric-a-brac. You could try a carboot sale or trawl round some antique shops.

3. Visit an art gallery. Find an exhibition in your area.

4. Enjoy a movie marathon.* Visit the video shop, stack up on snacks and spend the day being film critics. And if you’re stuck for inspiration, take a look at bbc.co.uk/films to find out which new releases should be top of your list!

5. Get some exercise. Go swimming, bowling or ice skating.  

6. Step back in time and visit a museum. Many of the buildings themselves deserve a look and you never know you might learn something at the same time!

7. Have an evening of pick’n'mix. Take a look at the TV listings and create a night of entertainment.

2. Get some exercise. Go swimming or to the gym, or play a game of badminton or squash.

3. Have an evening of ten-pin bowling.* Or join your local bowling club. Many are opening their doors to a wider range of participants!

4. Try something different, such as jazz, classical or rock.

5. Go to the dogs - but agree before you go how much you’re willing to lose in bets.

6. Enjoy a few drinks at your local pub, and keep a look out for quiz nights and local bands. They say music is the food of love!

7. Join an evening class. There’s a huge range available, from poetry and dancing, to local history, cooking and wine tasting.

8. Have a leisurely dinner. Whether it’s cheap and cheerful or top-class nosh, enjoy the chance for uninterrupted conversation.

9. Go to the cinema. Slip into the back row.

10. Have a bath with oodles of bubbles.

By Heather Tomasello