For many couples, lockdown has put a strain on their relationship – almost half of Americans say it’s been tricky to keep the spark alive. Canvas8 spoke to Ximena Garcia-Rada, doctoral candidate at Harvard Business School, to learn how relationship rituals can act as powerful commitment tools.

Sales of sex toys have jumped as the COVID-19 outbreak sees people bunker down for extended periods of self-isolation in their homes. The effects of social distancing may have a long-lasting effect on intimacy as individuals become more self-reliant to overcome loneliness and boredom.

Valentine’s Day will look a little different in 2021, with many couples still forced apart by pandemic restrictions. To help people at a distance rekindle their love, sex toy brand We-Vibe is launching a $30,000 giveaway, shaking them out of their lockdown routines and offering something to look forward to.

Whether it’s living vicariously through Normal People or counting down the days until a physical reunion, COVID-19 has forced us into a no-touch climate and we’re mourning the lack of skin-to-skin contact. Canvas8 spoke to three experts to explore what a post-touch world could look like.