1. Spend more time really connecting with other people.

Facebook and twitter and the latest smart phone gizmo are great tools for connecting-- but to us, it's the personal interaction of in-person or telephone communication that we think really connects us.

Let's face it.

When you're facebooking and twittering (or doing any of the many other forms of social networking)--in most cases, you're doing other things too.

You're multi-tasking.

Nothing wrong with multi-tasking but if you really want to build strong lasting connections, it's always best to do it one-on-one and to make sure you're totally "present" when you're with another person.

In fact, when you're jealous of your partner in social situations (and he or she really isn't doing anything to warrant your jealousy--you aren't connecting and being present with the people you're with.

Your body might be standing there and you might be talking but your attention and mind are on who your partner is talking to and what he or she is doing.

You're multi-tasking when it comes to being with others--and that's a recipe for disaster for your intimate relationship as well as your other relationships.

2. Spend more time in the bedroom.

In our book and audio program, "Red Hot Love Relationships."

We give you 77 ways to turn up the heat in your relationship, both in and out of the bedroom if you want more intimacy and a deeper connection with your partner or lover.

It's seems like such a simple suggestion but if you want more love, connection, passion and intimacy...

....spend more time in the bedroom.

No TV. No Kids. Just Laugh. Love. Talk. and Connect.

Whatever that means to you.

3. Spend more time loving yourself.

How often do you spend time beating yourself up?

If you're like most people, much more than you realize.

One important question we like to ask around this topic is--"What is the most loving act you could do for yourself right now?"

Not what you could do for someone else or your community but YOU.

Give yourself the gift of loving you.

Start by just acknowledging one thing you like, love or appreciate about yourself and then you might want to turn it into a full blown love affair with you.

4. Forgive Yourself.

That's right... forgive yourself for whatever you are holding onto that you resent yourself for.

You'll be much freer, lighter and much more fun to be with if you do this.

Most of us are carrying years of resentments from things we wish we would have handled differently- relationships that would have been different; times you wish you had been more loving or kind; financial deals gone bad or punishing yourself for getting fired or laid off from a job you really wanted or needed.

It's time to forgive yourself.

5. Spend more time alone in solitude or meditating and recharge.

Even if it's 5 minutes a day, spend time alone with just your thoughts and allow your mind some space to slow down and stop racing.

A couple of months ago, we started a new meditation practice that we do for about 10-15 minutes right before
going to bed that makes a big difference in both of us--both in our night's sleep and what we're like the next day
when we do our new practice.

Something as simple as taking a five minute walk alone every day can work miracles in your life.

You might even simply take a 2 minute deep breathing break.

The key is to find some time every day to recharge.

There you have it--our 5 tips for better, happier relationships in 2012! We invite you to try one or more in your life and see what happens.