8 Simple One-Minute Relationship Boosters

Who knew taking out the trash could be so romantic?
Post published by Alice Boyes Ph.D. on Mar 20, 2015 in In Practice
Not all of these may appeal to you, but pick what you think you and your partner would both be into for a quick boost of love and connection:
1. Surprise your partner by doing an unpleasant task they normally do. 
Take out the trash, or clean the tub.
2. Compliment your partner’s parents. Make it something specific.
“I love how your Dad makes friends wherever he goes"; “I love how your Mom always asks after my family."
3. Compliment one of your partner's friends.
"I really admire how smart Bridget is."
Why? It shows you think your partner has good taste in friends.
4. Put a flower in a vase (or a jar) and put it on the table when you eat dinner.
Something this simple can make a real change in the mood and feeling around the house. Make eating dinner together different and special—surprise your partner by taking out the "good" dishes, candlesticks, etc.
5. Use a nickname you've stopped using.
Think back to the start of your relationship to any affectionate nicknames you used to use but have stopped using. Your brain will associate the nickname with your initial heady, in-love feelings.
6. Do something fun that you used to do together but have stopped doing.
Maybe you used to play Monopoly when you first started dating, or maybe you used to take a walk outside for ice cream after dinner. (The activity may take longer than a minute, but the suggestion won't; it will take less than a minute.)
7. Thank your partner for something you usually take for granted.
"Thanks for cleaning off the plates again, sweetie."
8. Bring up a positive memory of something you did together.
"I was just thinking about how fun it was to pick out plants together last weekend."
Why? Thinking about positive events, even minor ones, enhances happy feelings and connection.