'5 Magical Hours': The simple hack to dramatically improve your relationship.

Relationships — even the good ones — take work.

It's something former Bachelor star Tara Pavlovic has called attention to recently, sharing that she and husband Nick Shepherdson have been attending couple's counselling — and they've learnt a game-changing hack.

"People assume if you get [couple's therapy] you're doomed or weak," the 34-year-old, who married Shepherdson in 2020, shared on Instagram.

"However, I think it shows so much strength as a couple to decide to work on your relationship and learn more about each other with the help of a psychologist."

So, what is thsi key to a happy relationship the pair have discovered?

It's a little something called 'Five Magical Hours' — and it's not just about saving relationships on the brink. It's a useful tool to help strengthen already-great relationships, too.

Better yet, it's quick, easy and (ahem) free.

Watch: Relationship red flags. Post continues after video.

What is the Five Magical Hours technique?

Designed by psychologist John Gottman, Five Magical Hours uses five exercises, designed to take five hours a week, to foster a deeper connection with your partner.

And if five hours sounds like a lot, hold up — you don't have to find a five-hour chunk of time each week. It's divvied up into smaller moments across the course of seven days.

"This framework is based on five hours of connection a week and is broken down into smaller parts, so it's actually manageable each day," Pavlovic wrote on Instagram.

The exercises include: partings, reunions, admiration and appreciation, affection, and a weekly date.

Here's what each entails:

Partings.

This involves spending two minutes of each weekday morning (10 minutes per week) learning one thing about your partner's plans for the day before saying goodbye. It aims to foster care and connection.

"We have to do this the night before because Nick leaves before me," Pavlovic wrote of the exercise.

Reunions.

For the reunions exercise, couples should dedicate 20 minutes each weekday (one hour, 40 minutes per week) to a stress-reducing conversation when they reunite after work.

This helps transition from work mode to home life and strengthens emotional engagement.

"This can sometimes be hard with the kids, but we will generally do it while eating dinner," shared Pavlovic.

Admiration and appreciation.

This involves setting aside five minutes daily (35 minutes per week) to express admiration or appreciation for your partner. This builds positivity and reinforces your bond.

"I've been finding this has been helping me to fixate on the positives instead of getting pissed off about the negatives," Pavlovic said.

Affection.

Here, couples should spend five minutes daily (35 minutes per week) showing physical affection, such as hugging, kissing, or holding hands, to maintain intimacy.

"I've been really making a point of hugging Nick more, which definitely has brought us closer together," wrote Pavlovic.

A weekly date.

This final exercise involves setting aside two hours per week for uninterrupted alone time with your partner. This could be a date night or simply quality time together without distractions.

"This is obviously hard to achieve with no family [to help look after the kids]," explained Pavlovic.

"So this will usually happen at home once the kids go to bed. We also plan to get a babysitter more often and lock dates in ahead of time."

So there's your five hours sorted! And according to Pavlovic, it works.

Since implementing Gottman's Five Magical Hours, the couple are already "feeling so much closer".

"Connection is so hard when you have kids, and it's so easy to drift apart and not want to speak or touch each other because you're both so exhausted. It's completely normal to go through this, please don't feel alone," she shared.

The post garnered plenty of support from friends and fans in the comments, many of whom related to the couple's challenges.

"Gottman's method has been a life changer for us too," wrote one user, while another added they "totally agree" with the affection exercise.

"I think it gets so lost with kids, and business and life. When you focus on just a six-second kiss, it does remind you that you actually still like them.

"I usually end it with the biggest laugh, it brings joy back into the relationship."

Said another follower, "Rebuilding a relationship after a family is absolutely crucial. You are not the same people you were before you had children. It can be daunting but also exciting to get to know each other again! See it as an opportunity to grow and date, and don't dwell on what's changed."

A couple's therapist even joined the discussion to share their perspective.

"I find it's the strongest couples who come for support because they are committed to growing and learning together," they wrote.

"The stigma has it so backwards."

Feature Image: Instagram/@tarapavlovic