When you find yourself in a long-term relationship, it may feel natural to settle down and get into this routine of sorts, where you stop really going out on dates with your significant other.

It may be because you’ve been dating for a couple years and your relationship has become a comfortable one, or maybe you’ve gotten married, and your first child has come along.

Somewhere along the way, many couples stop really dating each other, even though they’re still together and in love.

You obviously want to be comfortable with your partner, and of course, you want your relationship to be stable.

Both of those things are extremely important, however, what you don’t want is for your relationship to become stagnant.

Unfortunately, it's what happens when couples stop dating each other.

I believe that continuing to date each other is crucial to the maintenance of the health and happiness in a relationship.

Couples who date regularly have better communication skills, have more fun, are less stressed, have a greater sense of commitment, and often experience more romance in their relationships.

Understandably, everyone has their own complex and busy schedules, and sometimes it can be difficult to find the time for allotted date nights.

Taking time for weekly (or even simply bi-monthly) “date nights” may seem like an added stressor when two people are already pressed for time, but allotting a meal, an activity or simply an hour for a couple to reconnect can have some seriously therapeutic effects. Not just on the relationship, but on yourself.

Even sitting down at home and watching a movie together, can benefit both of you.

Anything can be a date if you have the right attitude, even a trip to the grocery store, breakfast at a diner after Sunday morning mass, or pizza night.

Another benefit could be having reminders why you love your S/O. It may sound overly-simple, but dating, especially years into a relationship, will remind you why you kept seeing this individual in the first place.

Real-life dates give you opportunities to talk about real-life topics and discussions.

Sitting on the couch scrolling through your Facebook feed hardly leaves room for conversation.

But putting yourselves at a table across from each other, free of screens, sparks meaningful, in-depth conversation.

Dates also give you something to talk about later. Your pillow talk doesn’t have to be limited to the requisite, “How was your day?” “Fine.”

Going on dates gives you two more to reflect on, more to talk about, more inside jokes to share.

Overall, dating is healthy for your relationship and your mood and will make you feel closer to your partner with each passing moment.

Couples who date are happier for longer and are the same couples that have happy partnerships for years and years to come.