3 Simple Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship
Going through a rough patch? You’re not alone. All relationships go through ups and downs and have their own unique set of challenges. What you need to understand is that a good relationship doesn’t just happen, you need to put in a lot of effort and time to transform your relationship. Some actions can help strengthen your relationship while others can wreak havoc.
Here are 3 simple ways to strengthen your relationship.
#1 Spend Quality Time Together
This is one of the easiest ways to strengthen your relationship and yet, most people struggle to spend some quality time with their partner. Take a moment and think about how much time you spend with your partner and doing what.
Is it enough, not enough or too much for the two of you? Does your partner feel the same?
Sit down and communicate with your partner. Understand what they like doing and how they like to spend their time with you. A study conducted by Gotman Research Institute in 2016 indicated that couples who spend 6 hours per week dedicated to each other are highly satisfied. Rather than looking for ideas on the internet on how to spend time with your partner, do the things your partner wants to do with their time. It could be as simple as going to the park and watching the kids play or catching a baseball game. Whatever it is, ensure that you’re attentive and supportive and not glued on your phone. Over time, your partner will reciprocate and you’ll start enjoying spending time with each other doing things you never thought you’d be doing!
Here are a few ways to spend time with your partner during the pandemic:
Board GamesThey’re an incredible way to have some fun and laughter. Invest in a few board games like Monopoly and Life. If you have a busy schedule, find board games that only last for 10-20 minutes.
Walk Together
Getting out of the house is an excellent way to reduce stress. This is important as it helps you and your partner get rid of work stress and reduces the chances of heated conversations.
Read Together
You can either read together or read the same book together. Reading together is invaluable as it allows you to grow and evolve together. This also helps you bond as you discuss what’s going on in the book and how you’re interpreting the content.
Cook together
Sounds, tiring, right? But did you know that’s it’s one of the few activities that uses all your five senses (apart from sex)? This makes it an excellent activity to increase intimacy and relieve stress. If you and your partner don’t know how to cook, you can sign up for a cooking class.
If you’re just not sure of what to cook, follow some food blogs. For instance, if you’re in the mood to cook Indian and need some inspiration, follow a few Indian Food Blogs.
#2 Understand Your Partner’s Needs
What are your expectations, needs and wants? Do you know what your partner’s expectations, need and wants are?
Understand that communication is key to build a solid relationship. Sit with your partner and discuss how they can support you and vice versa. If you’re having a bad day and just want someone to comfort you, request your partner to get rid of distractions and listen as you vent. If you want them to be in charge of an errand or a chore, let them know that in advance and help them understand how they can lighten your load. If needs are not being met over a period of time, it causes frustration and resentment. Therefore, it’s better to communicate than repair countless times of frustration, hurt or feelings of being let down.
#3 Compliments, hugs and Kisses
How often do you and your partner compliment each other? Relationship experts advise couples to compliment each other every day. And you don’t even have to mean it! Simple compliments like, “you look beautiful!” and “you’re amazing” have the capacity to drastically change your relationship and form a deeper connection with your partner. Kiss or hug each other at least twice a day. This helps you create physical intimacy that prevents the formation of distance in your relationship. Ever noticed why people in long-distance relationships feel distant? It’s because of the lack of touch.
Hugs can also reduce stress and decrease blood pressure. So when you embrace your partner, you help them “release” stress and negative emotions which helps you improve and strengthen your relationship.
The Takeaway
Relationships take work but if you communicate with your partner, you’ll know what kind of work you need to be doing. Although all relationships are different and thrive off different behaviours and values, these techniques will definitely help you bring your partner closer and improve your relationship. You can also try expressing anger in a productive way, practising each other’s love languages and give each other space to strengthen your relationship.
Author Bio: Shristi Patni
Shristi is a content writer and owner of F and B Recipes. She enjoys creating a List of Citrus Fruits or coming up with creative Food Blog Names. Formerly the Chief Content Officer at Raletta, she is currently working on her second cookbook.
Gravatar ID: shristipatni@gmail.com
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