- [Narrator] Hey, Psych2Goers.
Welcome back to another video.
Are you worried about your bond with your partner?
You feel like your relationship isn't as strong
as it was before.
Or are you still single and wanna learn how to build
a strong relationship with your future partner?
When you've been so accustomed to being around your partner
after dating or being married for months to years on end,
you may feel that a once solid connection has gone cold
or stagnant.
But worry not because there are a number of ways
to keep your relationship strong.
And while many people may tell you that communication is key
and it is, here are some other, perhaps more specific ways
to help strengthen your relationship between you
and your partner.
Number one, spend time together without being distracted
by technology.
Have you ever been to a restaurant with your partner,
but spent most of your time on your phones?
It can happen to the best of us,
whether it's scrolling through our Instagram feeds
or checking our emails.
It's no secret that we're beyond hooked on our smartphones.
However, while the issue may seem harmless,
a problem can add to relationship strain,
particularly to married couples.
A New York Times article from 2016 points out
that while men and women are equally as attached
to their devices, women in partnerships
react more sensitively to it.
Dr. Susan Heitler, author of "Prescription Without Pills",
noted that one of her clients who was fearful
that his partner was unfaithful to him
reacted to his anxiety by retreating further
into his smartphone rather than facing the issue head on.
So a good way to strengthen your relationship
may be to make a conscious effort on the conversations
in real time rather than the ones on your phone.
Number two, ask your partner something new.
When was the last time you asked your partner a deep,
thought-provoking question?
When you get so used to being around someone,
it's common to think that you know everything
there is to know about them,
but the truth is human beings are ever evolving
and there's usually more beneath the surface
that could be revealed.
According to the website Goalcast,
open and honest conversations can further serve a couple
by eliciting feelings of trust, understanding,
and compassion.
These conversations can allow you and your partner
to have a clearer idea as to why the other thinks
and behaves the way they do.
It also gives each partner the opportunity to be empathetic
and good listeners.
Number three, look into each other's eyes more.
Have you ever actively looked
into your romantic partner's eyes?
It's been shown that sustained eye contact,
meaning a few minutes or more,
can foster feelings of intimacy, connectedness,
and vulnerability.
Even more powerfully,
according to the website Mind and Spirit,
looking into each other's eyes more
can create the feeling of really being seen and acknowledged
without distraction.
While it may seem unlikely that the common couple
with busy schedules will just take time out
to stare at each other every day,
the act alone of increasing eye contact
in unsuspecting moments can have a transformative effect.
Number four, small acts of physical affection.
How often do you show your partner physical affection?
Finding small moments to touch your partner,
a brush of each other's hands, a hug from behind,
a kiss hello or goodbye are always to strengthen your bond
with them.
A 2003 study which surveyed 295 college students
showed that there's a direct link
between the amount of physical affection in a relationship
to the overall relationship satisfaction.
The correlation was simple.
The more physical affection there was,
the more satisfied couples were.
And number five, cooking and eating together.
Do you spend time with your partner in the kitchen?
Cooking together can be an overlooked way
to strengthen the bond with your partner
because sometimes it can be logistically difficult to do.
For example, you and your partner may come home from work
at different times.
But making a conscious effort to make a meal together
can be the perfect opportunity for you both to share stories
about your respective days, to banter,
and simply work towards something together.
And don't forget the playful splash from the faucet
that always adds just a little bit more fun to the process.
So what other ways have you tried
to strengthen your relationship with your partner?
Let us know in the comments below.
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The references and studies used in this video
are added in the description below.
Thanks for watching and see you in our next video.