With the busy fall season here, sometimes it can feel like there isn’t any time left to spend with your spouse or partner. As humans, we need mental, emotional, and physical connection to not only survive, but feel good. Devoting time in our busy schedules to spend with our loved ones is an important part of who we are and it shows the other person how much we care about them. Here are 5 ways to spend time connecting with your partner.
Visiting family or close friends together
When we learn about people’s past or meet people in their lives who know them the most, it can spark a new bond with them that reminds us of why we found each other in the first place. Try finding times other than the holidays to visit family and friends. Ask about their past or to see pictures of them when they were young. Memories can be fun for everyone and help you think about new memories you want to create in the future.
Take a walk together
Getting exercise or taking a walk together can help you stay active and support each other’s health and wellness. Maybe there’s a new goal you have for fitness this year you can do together. This is also a great time to catch up throughout the day and hear about what’s important to them.
Start a conversation
Communicating with your spouse leads to building trust. But talking about logistics and who’s stopping at the grocery store just isn’t enough. Find ways to meaningfully communicate with each other throughout the day or build in dedicated times to sit and talk at night. Being interested in each other’s day and activities can make all the difference. Ask good questions and listen to their responses. If you need help talking or resolving conflict, a couples therapist is always a great resource to use and get on the same page.
Create a shared goal
Having a united front and true partnership can sometimes start or strengthen when there are common goals. New Year’s can be a great time to ask each other about what you want to accomplish, what are your passions in life, and how you want to spend your time together. Create a shared goal or family goals and see how much you can get done together!
Surprise them with a new experience
Trying new things together can be a great way to connect with your spouse. A new adventure, exploring a city, or an active event can spark new conversations. It doesn’t have to be too expensive. Try looking local first or remember when they mentioned something new they wanted to try. Get creative and surprise them with it! It will create lasting memories for a lifetime together.
