1. Be sensitive. A request to “spice things up” may be interpreted as a criticism.

2. Get physical. People in long-term relationships often only touch when they are having sex. Reintroducing random contact - kissing, hugging, hand-holding - will make you both more sexually alert.

3. Think sexy. Send suggestive or romantic text messages through the day.

4. Plan ahead. Agree a menu of sex treats that you would both like to explore. Shop for props; for example, self-cling bondage tape (www.lovehoney.co.uk, £5.99) or a hot pink rubber whip (www.sh-womenstore.com, £8.81).

5. Create a more atmospheric environment. Clear away clutter; light candles; play romantic music - and make sure that the heating's on so that you can run around dressed in scent and cologne.

6. Invest in some luxury lubricant. Slip and slide makes everything more exciting. KY Sensual Silk Tingling Ultra Gel is a new version of an old favourite, which warms to the touch (www.lovehoney.co.uk, £7.99 for 44ml).

7. Dress sexy. Swap Primark tracky bottoms for Agent Provocateur lingerie. Lose the greying boxer shorts and invest in some skin-tight black cotton Calvins.

8. Don't confine your incentives to the bedroom. Eat something other than dinner on the kitchen table; in summer wait until it is dark and make out under the stars in your back garden.

9. Be realistic. Don't expect to jump from missionary once a month to threesomes twice a week.

10. And be careful. Agree on a non-verbal signal such as a wink, or possibly a slap, which will end any activity that one of you doesn't like.

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