You HAVE to take time out for sex

Between busy work schedules, chores, family responsibilities and an endless to-do list, finding time for sex can be difficult. But sex is one thing that helps maintain a close level of intimacy with your partner and ensures that the relationship stays strong.

Here are some ways you and your spouse can make time for love:

Be romantic

Bring back that loving feeling by focusing on romance. Go out to a new restaurant, do something nice for each other and make sure your time together is just about the two of you. Devote one night to your spouse and the next to the other. Talk during the day about your plans for that evening, have a conversation about what you would like from your lover, add a romantic meal, start early in the night before you are tired and disallow TV or computer in the bedroom.

Schedule it

One of the best ways to ensure you make time for sex is to schedule it. Set specific time aside for intimacy and let nothing remove it from the schedule. It might not seem that interesting and romantic, but it works. Unfortunately there are times when you can't be spontaneous so you have to put important things like this on a schedule.

Communicate your likes and dislikes

Like creating anticipation, talking about sex can also boost interest in spending more time in the bedroom. "Have a talk with your partner about what you would like in the bedroom. Sure it can be awkward, but sometimes you have to get over these hurdles to get things on track. Take turns discussing what you would like to see happen and what you want to try. The more honest you are, the easier it will be to start putting your sex life first.

Create anticipation

There's no better way to get sex back onto your radar than to create some excitement around it. Devote separate nights to focusing on a different partner's needs and then talk to each other during the day about your plans for the other. But be careful. The rule is - it should be romantic. The more you look forward to sex, the more likely you are to want to make intimacy a priority.

Just do it!

It might sound bold, but why not initiate things yourself to get the ball rolling? Do not wait for your partner to start things. It can lead to night after night of nothing. If your partner rejects your advances, discuss it with your partner. Also, if there is a lack of desire in either of you, visit a relationship expert for counselling.

Sex-guide according to your age

Our sexual behaviour varies at different times in our lives. Sex guru Tracey Cox in her bestselling book, 'Sextasy' reveals the sexual urges and traits of lovers according to their age...

20-something

Most guys just can't stop dreaming about sex every couple of hours. At this age, girls are usually rebellious in their sexual imaginations. They share same-sex fantasies or want to try out bi-sexuality. A 2006 study of nearly 2000 people discovered that 76 per cent of women who slept with women reached climax (for women with men, the figure stands at 50 per cent).

The 20s are the time when young boys and girls are most experimental in their sexual positions. One in 10 people claims Tracey Cox have had a threesome in their early twenties.

Also, people in this age group have most likely visited a strip joint or a lapdancing club - with their friends or their better half.

30 something

The 30s are a time to experiment, almost all 30-somethings claim to have had sex outdoors. Unlike the teens when making out was the most common form of sexual experimentation, most 30 somethings prefer having sex somewhere semi-public like the beach, in the garden or on a park bench in the darkness. There's something wildly ero*ic about these sexapades! Also, high on the 30 something popularity chart are having sex in the shower or in the bath tub.

Kinky pleasures also rate high as most 30 plus couples claim to be giving in to their fantasies of bondage, blindfolds and spanking on a weekend of debauchery.

This is also the time when women are most likely to befriend gay male pals. Straight women love gay men; gay men love straight women. Swedish research is confirming just why the two groups get along so famously - they both have symmetrical brains. Straight men and lesbians have asymmetrical brain hemispheres.

The 30s also mark the arrival of children in a married couple's life, so the sex drive naturally dwindles. But, Cox points out that during pregnancy, couples have sex four to five times a month. Most put the brakes on their sex lives for about seven weeks after delivery, but four months later are back to four or five times of sex a month. Cox says six months after delivery, the average couple goes back to having sex three to five times a month. But incase you don't fit the bill, remember getting disheartened ain't gonna help. Remember it's just a temporary period, so continue touching and cuddling and if your baby robs you of chances to have sex, indulge in quickies.

Most women says Cox in her book experience higher climax rates. Ninety per cent of women past 30 regularly experience or*asm, compared to just 23 per cent of younger women.

40 something

Men in their 40s are more likely to experience erection problems. Also, this is the age when maximum number of men tend to be unfaithful. Also, men are more compelled in their 40s to watch more adult movies or indulge in sex chats. Women on the other hand get sexually very demanding, often being attracted to younger men.

If you thought the 40s were about low libido, think again, while 40-somethings maybe having less sex than ever, the thrust has shifted from how many times in a week to an emphasis on better quality. You are more sure of your sexual needs in this age group and thus more likely to insist on passion play as opposed to a mere making out session.

5 Nonsexual Things that Turn Women On

Not going to lie. I haven’t been feeling it lately. More down-to-sleep (DTS) than down-to-sleep-with-you (DTF). It happens. While you just need to see your girlfriend’s lips or cleavage or inner thigh to get turned on*, a woman’s needs to see her boyfriend’s other qualities. Other than his unit, I mean.

Here’s the truth: Your unit isn’t attractive. At all. Nor does it draw us to you in any way. If it did, you could just toss on the table during appetizers on the first date, and we’d go home with you.**

So what are some of those other qualities that turn a woman on? I can’t speak for all women, but here are five that do it for me—and, according to my friends, for them too.

Your Handwriting
Handwritten notes are so rare these days, which only makes them more of a turn on. Doesn’t matter if you’re using a pen, pencil, or crayon—we love it! Not only is it awesome to see effort beyond the four-word text, but a handwritten note is literally something we’ll treasure. Also, I think it is very sexy to see words such as beautiful in your chicken scratch. Something about sensitive words in rough manly handwriting makes me swoon.

Your Clean Smell
Emphasis on clean. I’m not into the sweaty man scent, but I’m all about the right-out-of-the-shower smell. Yum. A little Irish Spring and I’m yours. Just don’t go overboard. With most soaps and body washes—from Axe to Gillette—a little goes a long way. Don’t show up at my door smelling like you have pine cone hanging around your neck.

You Saying My Name
Get your mind out of gutter! I mean when you say my name out of the blue***. When you’re with someone all the time, you rarely call them by name—or you use a nickname. There’s something very sexy about hearing you say my name. Just throw it in there once in awhile to show you still remember it—and still respect me as an individual.

You Focusing on a Project
I love to see a guy working on a project—from building the fence in my backyard to cleaning the oven or planning a trip. Whatever it is, seeing raw dedication, focus, and ownership never gets old.

Your Blushing
So okay, I am way funnier than most of you, I realize that****. I love when I can zing ya with a great comeback and you know it was hilarious. But you don’t want to back down, so you blush with a tad bit of embarrassment. Or if I say something totally unexpected, and it makes you happy, you have a certain smirk. It is fantastic to see that vulnerability every once in awhile.