If you want to keep your relationship fun, having playful banter is essential. Here’s how to keep flirting no matter how long you’ve been together.

Many people don’t realize the importance of flirting and having playful banter in your relationship. We all do this in the beginning of our relationships but this fun flirting usually slows down after the honeymoon phase is over.

We end up committing to someone and, since we’re no longer trying to “win” them, we stop the cutesy behavior that won them over in the first place. As a result, our relationships lose a bit of that fun edge that’s needed to make it the best it can be.

Once you stop the flirting, the relationship goes down the dumps

You always have to flirt with your partner. Flirting isn’t reserved for those few months you spend getting your significant other to like you more. You should always do it or your relationship can end up getting worse and worse.

When you have playful banter and keep that flirty behavior alive, you continuously show your significant other that you’re into them. You make them feel wanted and cared for and, most importantly, desired.

Having this as a major strength in your relationship will also help you maintain a healthy sex life, too. And we all know how important that is. [Read: 14 common reasons relationships often fail]

How to have playful banter and keep your relationship fun

When it comes to flirting, banter is probably the most fun. Going back and forth with quick, witty comments keeps things interesting. It also shows your significant other how smart you are and paves the way for some interesting conversations. Here’s how you can master it.

#1 Always be thinking about comebacks. Even when you’re not flirting or having banter, always have comebacks ready to go in your mind. This helps train your brain to think a lot faster.

The quicker you can come back with a witty comment, the better your playful banter is going to be. This also helps you be more unfiltered, which can be really funny and entertaining in its own respect. Allow the words to just flow immediately. [Read: How to be witty and win anyone over]

#2 Use what you know about your partner. Flirting is made so much better if you know what makes your lover tick. What do they love you saying in bed together? How do they respond to funny or naughty things?

Using what you know about them to adjust your own banter is essential. Think about what they like and what they don’t like. Make banter that is unique to them only and say things you know will hit them in just the right spots. You know what they find funny, so use it.

#3 Make sure the mood is right. There is a very specific vibe that makes for great banter. Both of you have to be in a very relaxed, playful mindset. If your partner starts getting a little flirty and makes some jokes, up your wit game.

Drop a few lines that’ll give him the hint that you’re ready for some playful banter. Being able to read the mood right will help you flirt and have fun as much as you can. The second you’re feeling it, go for it. [Read: 20 things you can do to get a woman in the mood]

#4 Initiate it as often as you can. You don’t always have to wait for the right mood, though. You can start it as much as you want. In fact, it’s better if you initiate it a lot. Otherwise, your partner might not.

If you both aren’t trying to flirt with one another, then you never will. This will make your relationship a little more boring and can affect your sex life negatively. So even if you’re not 100% in the mood for some banter, do it anyways and see if your significant other wants to have some fun.

#5 Be as outrageous as you can. Let things get super silly. Try to challenge yourself to see how insane and ridiculous your banter can get. Let it be a sort of game together. See who can go the furthest and make the most ridiculous and hilarious comment.

#6 Get a little naughty. Let your freaky side out when you’re having playful banter. Show your significant other you can get a little naughty. Just because it’s banter doesn’t mean it can’t be really sexy and dirty.

Use some dirty talk to get your partner in the mood while flirting this way. You can even make it a little game with yourself. See what it takes to make your partner grab you and have their way with you in the bedroom. [Read: 23 tips for dirty talking and saying the sexiest words]

#7 Don’t hold back. Holding back is the worst thing you can do when flirting. You have to be yourself and let it all out. Your significant other fell for you, right? So be as real and honest as you can.

Let your true colors show. A lot of times, couples end up pulling back into themselves after a while. They think their partner knows all they need to and they kind of stop being themselves. Don’t let this happen to you and your lover.

#8 If you feel like doing it, then do it. A lot of people in relationships can be in the mood to flirt and have playful banter very briefly but then don’t act on it. This is how your relationship will get boring. You stop doing the fun things for no reason.

If you feel like being goofy and saying something silly to your partner, then do it! Obviously, be mindful of when they’re in an awful mood. Sometimes you can cheer them up with playful banter and other times it’ll just annoy them. [Read: 50 flirty text messages that are sure to make her smile]

#9 Try to one-up your significant other with every comment. Each time you have playful banter, see if you can go one step above your significant other. Try to continuously outdo each other so it’s the most fun it can be.

#10 Just have some fun with it. If you like to have some playful banter in a specific way, just do it and have some fun with it. There’s no right or wrong way to do banter and flirt with your lover. So long as you’re flirting and keeping that fun energy up, your relationship will last.

Focus on continuously trying to have fun with each other. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, putting forth effort to make it more enjoyable is going to do amazing things for the longevity of your relationship.

[Read: 10 ways you can make your relationship more fun and playful]

Playful banter is just one of the many ways you can keep your relationship fun and interesting. Make sure you always try to keep the flirting alive so you never wind up in a boring relationship.