10 Easy Ways to Get the Spark Back in Your Marriage

It's the easiest thing to do, really. Just leave your spouse a love note every now and again. Pick different locations to tuck that love note. Whether it's in a lunchbox, laptop case, or a nightstand, leave a little note that says:

• Something you love about that person
• Something sexy you want to do to that person
• A memory you want to share

Once a week, make it a power hour of massage. What is better than the power of touch? Nothing! Just extra contact with each other will make a difference. I know that some people don't like massage, so if that's you, ask your partner to stretch you out, brush or play with your hair, simply lay in bed with you . . . whatever it takes to have bodies or hands touching each other!

So many of us don't have the time or money for that weekend getaway that, honestly, so many married couples need, but you can consciously make the effort to set aside a "power hour" just for the two of you each night or even once or twice a week. I personally would recommend you do it daily or at least three to four times a week. Talk to each other. Make love. Have sex. Watch a movie. Cuddle. Go for a run. Just be together without tech and without anyone else.

If you have kids, this is a tougher act to try out, but you can always use Parent Television to help you accomplish this goal. Sleep in an extra half an hour to an hour just to cuddle, or more. You decide! Pick a day each week on which you guys enjoy this, like a sleep-in Sunday.

Maybe you two decide to start up a once-a-month hike together. Maybe you join a dojo together. Whatever you choose, do it together. It will be fun for you both to share and remind you of days that were more "footloose and fancy free."

If you're looking to create some spark in your marriage, first create a little spark in you! Sign on for a new hobby, even if it's something you can do at your pace and time and from home. Suggest your spouse does as well. New activities bring new things to discuss and new things to share. Suddenly, you'll both probably seem more interesting to each other . . . and then . . .

Spring a little sexy on him or her by trying a little something new once a day, week, or month, depending on your personality! It will take effort if the two of you have gotten stale in the bedroom, but this effort will not only be worth it, but will also be noticed and appreciated.

When we feel attractive, our spouses can tell! Make some new body goals, even if it's as small as wearing lingerie and feeling sexy and not self-critical. You can also make it a bigger goal like dropping 10 pounds to show off a little. Either way, when we put energy into ourselves, our spouse notices, especially if it has to do with our bodies.

Plan to surprise your spouse once a month with anything from roses or a six-pack of specialty beer to a "power hour" of playing his or her favorite video game. Don't hint around. Don't suggest that something is coming his or her way. Just do it! Eventually, your spouse will be on his or her toes in eager anticipation for a little monthly surprise.

Pick a cause that you two can donate your time to like your local animal shelter or an organization for the environment or for kids. Whether it's once a week, once a month, or a few times a year, pick something that you both are excited about and go for it! Getting out there together as a couple for a good cause will help you to work together more efficiently as well as help you both feel good about yourselves and each other.