An expert from Married At First Sight UK has revealed that one of their top tips for a healthy marriage is "keeping the fights clean and the sex dirty".
Paul Carrick Brunson has been married to his wife Jill since 2000 and appears on the new series of the E4 dating show where he coaches the couples as they navigate life married to a complete stranger.
Speaking about his own lengthy marriage to Jill, Paul exclusively told The Mirror: "We’ve gone through everything meant to tear us apart and not only have we survived, we’re stronger than ever."
"Some lessons nearly two decades of marriage have taught us about how to build a strong relationship include; listening to your partner’s problems without passing judgement, call, show up, and deliver what and when you say you will, and remember that inconsistency destroys trust and trust is the foundation of your relationship."
He then cheekily added: "Keep the fights clean and the sex dirty," before saying whether or not he believes in love at first sight.
"I think it all depends as true, deep love may not exist yet when you first meet someone but you may create the memory of falling in love later on in your relationship," Paul explained.
"But even though many are sceptical of the phrase 'love at first sight', there is actually science behind the feeling of falling in love as soon as you lock eyes with someone you’re attracted to.
"Some scientists do believe that love at first sight can be real for certain people, however – yet as we all know, staying in love is the deeper challenge here.
"There’s definitely something to be said for instantly making a connection with someone the moment you meet. Those butterfly feelings you get is a chemical reaction that is happening in your brain, releasing all of those warm and fuzzy feelings."
Paul continued: "Your brain is creating dopamine and serotonin and because of those chemicals, you may feel an instant attachment to someone and as long as your brain can sense that it is reciprocated then the rest is history."
He added: "I think intimacy can play a part in this as well. When someone goes on a first date, for example, and gets intimate on the first night, if it is a positive experience they go and tell their close friends afterwards that they are in love if the experience was positive.
"In fact, Trojan® Condoms, who I am currently partnering with, recently commissioned a survey to sexually active UK adults around various sexual wellness topics and one of which was how many out of the 2,000 had a one-night stand previously, with 70 percent responding that they had.
"So even out of these 1,400 members of the public who hooked up after a first meet, I guarantee there are a fair few guilty of falling in love at first sight here. What was really positive to hear that was 96 percent used a condom which I am thrilled to see!"
Paul is working with Trojan Condoms as their relationship expert. Trojan is available to purchase from Boots, Asda and Amazon.
