How Can Love Languages Improve Your Relationship?

We all have love languages that make us feel cared for, respected, and admired. We may have different ones than our partners, or perhaps even the same!

Decoding what the 5 love languages are and how they can be implemented within a relationship can boost your relationship to a whole new level. When understanding how you and your partner interpret love and appreciation, you can try to exercise their preferred love language to help them feel seen, heard, and well, - loved! When practiced frequently, asserting your knowledge of your partner’s love language can deepen your connection and enrich your relationship is several ways. Many expressions of love and intimacy can be considered several love languages in one act or event, which gives you bonus points!

Our therapists weighed in on how to communicate to your partner your love for them using the 5 love languages system.

What are the 5 Love languages?

Physical Touch

There are many ways to express love and admiration through physical touch, such as:

 Hugs

 Kisses

 High-fives

 Arms around shoulders/back/waist

 Holding hands

 Cuddling

 Sexual intimacy

 Physical closeness and touching

Words of Affirmation

Words of affirmation are comments, phrases, and questions that validate, affirm, and acknowledge qualities and characteristics of your partner that are positive. Words of affirmation don’t have to just be physical; they can be comments based on personality, performance, situational topics, and even day-to-day tasks. Some examples can include:

How understanding love languages can improve your relationship

 “Your passion for your work inspires me”

 “You look beautiful in that dress today”

 “It must have taken so much bravery to stand up to your boss. You did a

great job handling that situation”

 “I am proud of what an amazing partner you are”

 “I notice how attentive you are to our children and that means a lot to me”

 “I am so thankful to have you in my life”

 “You really have a knack for decorating. Because of you, our house feels like a home”

 “You always have the best ideas.”

 “You make me want to be a better person”

Acts of Service

Doing a favor, completing a task, helping with a chore or errand- all of these falls under the umbrella of acts of service. Some examples include:

 Completing a task of chore, you don’t particularly enjoy like dishes or laundry

 Planning a surprise birthday party for your partner

 Helping your partner find

 Ironing your partner’s work clothes for the next day or packing their lunch

 Rubbing your partner’s feet (also could be considered quality time or physical touch)

Quality Time

Quality time can look different for many couples. You don’t have to be looking at each other the entire time for it to be considered quality time. Connecting through a shared activity and conversation can ignite intimacy within your relationship. Some examples include:

 Watching a show together

 Taking a new class together

 Playing a game

 Taking a walk

 Going on a trip

How understanding love languages can improve your relationship

 Cuddling

 Cooking dinner

 Having a conversation

Gifts

Birthdays and holidays aren’t the only time you can express love in your relationship. There are so many opportunities for you to be able to shower your loved one with gifts in meaningful ways throughout the year. Gifts don’t have to be grand or expensive, in fact, studies show that small gifts with deep meaning tend to be more attractive to individuals who prefer gifts as their main love language. Some examples of gift giving include:

 Picking up your partner’s favorite flowers on a whim

 Buying a piece of jewelry your partner has had their eyes on for their birthday

 Seeing your partner’s favorite shoes on sale and snagging them

 Buying your partner lunch

Do you feel that couples counseling could benefit your relationship? Do you want to learn more about the 5 Love languages? Do you Do you need extra support in helping your relationship flourish and grow? Couple’s counseling is a specialty at Serene Mind. Email us at hello@serenemindpsych.com or give us a call at 813.321.8280 to set up an intake appointment to see if one of our therapists is a good fit for you and your partner.