Daily Practices to Strengthen and Nourish Your Relationship

A relationship begins to decay when one or both parties stop trying. Though relationships shouldn’t be work, they do require the effort of both parties. Whether your relationship has been struggling for some time and you want to get it back on the right track, or you simply want to make sure your relationship stays strong, there are a few things you can do on a daily basis to strengthen your relationship, and maintain your bond with your partner.

Talk to One Another

Though this may seem trivial, you would be surprised by how many couples go days without actually talking to one another. Asking your husband to do the dishes, or your wife to pick up your dry cleaning, does not count as talking. Set aside 15 minutes of your day to ask each other about your days, the highlights, and even the setbacks. Really listen to what each other has to say. That means putting your phone down, shutting off the TV, and asking the kids to play quietly in the other room for the time being. At the end of the day, you didn’t go looking for heart-shape engagement rings with just anyone, you went with the person you love! Make them feel valued and appreciated by taking time to ask them about their day.

Give Each Other Space

This may seem counterproductive, but it’s actually an essential component of any happy union. If you and your partner have been fighting more frequently, or if you’re both agitated when in each other’s company, the reason may be as simple as you’ve been spending too much time together since getting married. Leave for the day to do something you enjoy, and encourage your partner to do the same. Encourage him to go on that week-long boys’ trip, and while he’s away, take your own little holiday. Spending time apart gives you both an opportunity to miss each other, and reflect on why that is.

Learn Something New Together

When you and your partner first got together, everything was exciting because everything was new. You were in learning mode, and learning about everything from each other’s likes and dislikes to your emotional triggers to your sleeping preferences. Now that you’ve been together for a while, though, there’s nothing left to learn, and you may have grown a little bored. Change that by taking classes together. Whether it be a cooking class, dance class or kickboxing class, taking a class gives you an opportunity to learn and grow together. As a bonus, you may even meet new friends.

Do Chores Together

A major source of contention between couples is household chores or, more specifically, the dishes. According to one study, doing dishes is the most dreaded household chore. Not only that, but women in heterosexual relationships who shoulder this particular burden alone report decreased satisfaction in the bedroom, and increased conflict in all other areas of their relationships than those whose partners lend a helping hand. If you feel resentful of your partner because he never offers to help, or if your wife or fiancée has hinted more than a few times that she would like assistance, it’s time to sit down and make a chore list you can tackle together. Not only will doing so send the message that you value each other’s time, but also, it can help cut the time spent on chores in half, which you can use to enjoy each other’s company.

Appreciate What Your Partner DOES Do

So, your partner’s not on board to help with the dishes or to put the laundry away, but he does clean the toilet—a job you can’t stomach. He also mows the lawn, does the grocery shopping, and takes the kids to and from practice. Though each of those tasks are weekly chores and not daily ones, the time spent on completing them adds up. Instead of focusing on ways in which your spouse doesn’t help, think about the ways in which he or she does contribute, and appreciate him or her for it.

Have Fun Together

The most important thing you and your partner can do to strengthen and nourish your bond is to have fun together. If you’re not having fun, then what’s the point? If you’re struggling to come up with fun ideas, use this list to get started.