Together forever

Think ruts are bad for relationships? Sharing brunch every Sunday can strengthen a couple’s bond. Researchers found that partners who share regular rituals were more satisfied in their relationships than those who didn’t schedule down time together. Repeated behaviours reinforce the uniqueness of a couple, providing a sense of belonging.

Express sex

You don’t need to last for hours to please her. Just eight minutes of sex is enough. Past that point, a woman may feel inadequate because she thinks she can’t make you climax, which decreases her enjoyment.

Read her mind

Find out if she fancies you with these tips from sex expert Tracey Cox.

Mirroring
This is what distinguishes a good flirt from a great flirt: nothing will bond you more effectively than mirroring someone’s behaviour. This makes her feel you’re on the same level as her.

The eyebrow flash
When we first see someone we fancy, our eyebrows rise and fall. If they’re attracted too, they raise their eyebrows in return. Never noticed? The whole thing lasts a fifth of a second.

Pointing
We tend to point towards the person we’re interested in.
If we find someone attractive, we’ll show it with our arms, feet, legs and even our toes.

Blinking
If someone likes what they see, their pupil size increases and so does their blink rate. Increase her blink rate by blinking more yourself, and if she likes you, she’ll match it to keep in sync.

Lean love

Women prefer muscle tone over muscle mass, according to studies. When women evaluated photos of shirtless men, they ranked athletic-looking bodies (lean and defined) as more desirable than both muscular and skinny types. Women perceive men with big muscles as threatening and also know that it takes time to build all that beef – time you might not spend with them.

Anatomy of a fling

Women looking for a one-night stand are attracted to a hot body above all else – just as men are – according to studies. Runner-up: a good smile, which says you’re outgoing, honest and smart.

The candy man can't

A diet high in sugar can temporarily lower your testosterone levels, which can in turn undermine your erections and sap your sex drive. Swear off sweets, and your testosterone should come roaring back.

Scent science

Stinky air makes you less attractive. Women exposed to a faint foul odour rated faces as less likable than they did when in fresh air. Turns out, when women detect a stench, they associate it with the face of the person they’re with. The good news: a waft of citrus spike likability. So spritz on a fruit-laced cologne.