Tips to build a stronger bond with your partner
Our clinicians and therapists practice couples counselling from a variety of different models.The main ones being Gottman method, Emotion Focussed Therapy, Developmental and Family systems model. Our team shares some of the practical ways, couples can work on building a stronger bond.
It certainly boils down to communicating openly, honestly and effectively. Good communication is key to any relationship. Make an effort to regularly check in with your partner and share your thoughts and feelings in a candid way. You aren’t alone in a relationship and two people have to work on it together.
It’s hard to find time for each other when our attention is being drawn towards social media, news, professional commitments, parental duties and such but see if you can find quality time for each other. Make time for activities that you both enjoy and that allow you to connect on a deeper level. This could include date nights, weekend getaways, or simply spending an evening at home cooking dinner together.
Let your partner know that you appreciate them and all that they do. This can be as simple as saying "thank you" or expressing your gratitude in a note or card so if you havent already tell them today how much they mean to you, go ahead and do it. See if you can implement this on regular basis. Showing gratitude and appreciation is important in relationships. If one person feels that they are being taken for granted, it doesnt help the situation.
When your partner is speaking, give them your full attention and try to really understand their perspective. Avoid interrupting or getting defensive, and instead try to focus on what they're saying and how you can support them. Active listening is definitely an art and you can certainly develop it.
Learn to accommodate each other. No relationship is perfect, and it's important to be willing to compromise and make sacrifices for your partner. This could mean making adjustments to your schedule or compromising on certain decisions. If their are lingering resentments, frustrations or anger talk about it and work on resolving it. Dont carry a heavy bag of emotions on your shoulders all the time.
Take an interest in your partner's hobbies and passions: Showing an interest in your partner's hobbies and passions can help strengthen your bond and create shared experiences. Give them an opportunity to know more about your interests as well and perhaps work on finding common areas of interest.
Practice forgiveness: Holding onto grudges and resentment can damage a relationship. Make an effort to forgive your partner when they make mistakes and focus on moving forward.
Be there for your partner during difficult times and offer emotional and practical support when needed. This could be lending them a listening ear without trying to fix their problems ( unless ofcourse they are asking for your advice explicitly) or dismissing what they are going through.
How good are you at expressing and accepting affection? Physical touch, such as holding hands or cuddling, can help strengthen the emotional bond between partners. Hugs can be very soothing and comforting.
See if you can keep the romance alive, especially the sparks you felt when you first connected with your partner. Don't let the romance in your relationship fizzle out. Make an effort to keep building the strength of your bond through attuning to your partner, doing thoughtful gestures or planning special date nights. Discuss what a good relationship look like to you and your partner and work on meeting the expectations or setting the expectations that are feasible. Don’t let the hum-drum of life ruin your relationship or pull you apart because only the lucky ones get to experience love :)
Our team is right here to help you bridge the gap with your partner so dont hesitate at all to reach out.
