We are under a great deal of stress these days.
Bills, friends, family, work, school and goals are all up there in this cloud of chaos called “life.”
For some reason, it’s easy to show our worst selves to the ones we love the most.
But, not all is lost.
As long as you and your partner are both breathing, you can take steps toward making life a little sweeter.
Here are some daily habits that can help boost your relationship morale:
1. Say “thank you.”
Saying “thank you” can sound like nothing, but it’s the little things that map out the larger picture.
Saying “thank you” to your loved one for the simple things you expect from him or her can have a huge impact.
It helps your partner know his or her efforts are noticed, respected and not being taken for granted.
After some time continuing this practice, you may begin to notice the little efforts more than you did before.
2. Set aside one-on-one time daily.
In the age of texting, it seems like we are talking all the time.
But how much time are we spending one-on-one with each other, without the cell phone distractions, video games or the newspaper?
It may seem cheesy, but setting aside 15 minutes in the chaos of the day for your significant other can help you reconnect in ways you may not expect.
3. Never leave without saying, “I love you.”
Always say, “I love you” before you leave, no matter how bad of a fight you had or how exhausted you feel.
Saying “I love you” lets your partner know you’re all in, and that no matter how bad things feel, you still care.
4. Sit together.
When you’re in a room or out and about, think about how you are sitting.
Are you sitting next to each other, far apart or facing one another?
We all need personal time and space, but taking the time to sit close together can help you feel more connected.
Not to mention, it’s warmer.
5. Give one compliment per day.
Every morning as you head out for work or school, say one nice thing to your partner.
It can be as easy as, “I like what you did with your hair today,” or “That joke you made earlier was hilarious.”
Having a loved one say a little something can seriously boost you for the day ahead.
6. Support one another.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed or just fed up, hearing words of support or encouragement can mean a lot.
Throughout the day, send each other encouraging quotes to let one another know you believe in each other.
7. Focus on the positive.
It’s so great to vent and complain about our days.
It can help us release stress and process frustrations.
But focusing on the positive can help you both see things in a different light.
After a few weeks of talking about the positives in your day, you’ll both begin to feel happier and less stressed.
You can start by challenging one another to pick five things that went well for that day, like a smile from a friend or a compliment received by a coworker.
The world is rough, and it can tear us apart.
But, partnership allows a buffer for all that hardship.
Your partner is your teammate in this game of life, so be the best person you can be.
Show one another respect, compassion, encouragement and attention.
With that, you can never go wrong.
