How to Bond as a Couple & Strengthen Your Relationship

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Fun activities & healthy habits to get closer to your partner
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The beginning of a relationship can be a lot of fun, but it’s nothing compared to the deep connection and satisfaction that comes with a strong emotional bond with your partner. It’s the key to a healthy and happy relationship and can help build trust and understanding between two people. The best part is there are things you can do to strengthen your bond. To help you do it, we’ve put together a handy list of options you can use to form and maintain a loving connection with your partner.

Ways to Bond as a Couple

Spend lots of quality time together. Talk about how each other’s days were. Try new activities together, like cooking, dancing, or paint and sip classes. Be honest and open about your thoughts and feelings. Read a book together. Start new traditions. Embrace healthy disagreements. Remember to compliment each other.

Section 1 of 3:

Activities to Bond with Your Partner

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  1. Cooking a meal with your partner can be a fun activity that allows you both to be creative. Relationship rituals like cooking have been shown to strengthen your bond with your partner, so try coming up with your own recipes, building off of online recipes, signing up for a meal kit delivery service if you need some help, or taking a cooking class together. [1]
  2. Volunteering helps you connect with others and brings fun and fulfillment into your life. If you and your partner are both eager to give back to the world and support your neighbors, try volunteering . Visit a local soup kitchen or food bank, help at the animal shelter, or volunteer with the Human Rights Campaign . [2]
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  3. Setting goals has been proven to help with life progression, productivity, and even has therapeutic benefits. To strengthen your relationship and feel more fulfilled, try setting goals for your relationship. If you want to save a certain amount of money or lose weight, set a number goal and deadline, then encourage each other as you work towards it. [3]
    • If you want to bring back the spark in your relationship, sit down with your partner and list places where you both can improve, then make it your goal to improve in those places.
  4. If one or both of you likes to be active, practicing fitness together can be a great way to strengthen your bond. Try playing sports together, taking workout classes, or just going for a run with each other. Regularly exercising improves mood, boosts energy, and helps with physical intimacy, which can all strengthen your bond. [4]
  5. Spirituality can help bring new meaning to life and your relationship. If you and your partner are comfortable, try yoga , meditation , praying together, or connecting with nature. These spiritual practices can help you recenter your focus and relieve stress in your relationship and personal life. [5]
  6. Tattoos that represent your bond can help deepen your relationship and remind you of each other in moments when you’re apart. Get matching tattoos or side-by-side images that match when you two come together. But think carefully about this. Your partner is probably great, but make sure you don’t get a tattoo you may regret in the future. [6]
  7. Reading together is a great way to slow down after the end of a long day. You can also build your connection with your partner by reading the same book together, setting a date to finish it by, then coming together to discuss what you each thought. You’ll have a deeper well of things to talk about, which can help strengthen the bond in your relationship. [7]
  8. Start a monthly or yearly tradition to have fun, spice things up, and strengthen the bond you have with your partner. Start off by visiting the same restaurant every Friday, surprising each other with small gifts every month, or gathering in the kitchen every Christmas Eve, cooking dinner, and baking pastries together. [8]
  9. Going to museums or art galleries with your partner can give you guys the opportunity to have conversations about things you’ve never discussed before, like an artist’s interpretation of the meaning of life or deep philosophies that drive people. You can learn new things together and leave with a stronger bond. [9]
  10. Visiting each other’s hometowns can bring back lots of old memories for both of you. This can be a great way to learn more about your partner’s past and deepen the connection between you two. Share old stories, show your partner your old hangout spot or your favorite spot to eat lunch to help them learn more about you. [10]
  11. Not only does traveling with your partner give you a break from your everyday life, but it also gives you the opportunity to create new, everlasting memories that strengthen your bond. Fly to a new country or hop on a train to your favorite city to learn more about yourself and your partner. [11]
  12. Whether there’s a shed you’ve always wanted to build or a painting idea that your partner thinks you could help with, starting a project together can contribute to the bond in your relationship. Clinical psychologist & life coach Suzan Pazak says creating something together can help strengthen the bond you have with your partner.
  13. Sometimes, all you need to bond is some peace with your partner. Going for a neighborhood walk can be a great way to get that peace. Talk to each other about the architecture, visit your local park, or just enjoy each other’s company. Walking also boosts your immune system, so you’re literally strengthening your bond! [12]
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Strengthen Your Bond with Your Partner

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  1. Set aside some time every day to reconnect with each other. As your days get busier, frequent face-to-face contact with your partner can quickly turn into brief text messages and short phone calls. Make it a goal to take some time in the day to put away your phones, stop thinking about everything else you’ve got going on, and spend some time with your partner. [13]
    • This can help reinforce your bond and remind each other how much you care for one another.
    • It could be something simple like a quiet dinner with no electronics or a relaxing movie or TV show that you watch together without distractions.
    • You can also go out somewhere nice to eat or just take a stroll around your neighborhood. Spending quality time doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need is each other!
  2. Keep your quality time fun and interesting. Going to the same restaurant or movie theater for date night can eventually get dull and boring. Spice things up by doing something totally new like taking a dancing class or having a picnic in a field somewhere. Find new things that you can do together and give it a shot! [14]
    • You could also try to check out a new restaurant every date night or take turns choosing what you’ll do together to keep it interesting.
  3. Encourage honest communication and trust in your relationship. Talk to your partner about how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking about. Trust that what you tell them will stay just between the two of you so you can feel comfortable venting and talking through conflicts with each other. [15]
    • Honest and open communication is a sign of a healthy relationship with a strong bond.
    • If you’re stressed out at work and your partner is also asking you to do something, say something like, “I’m under a lot of pressure at work right now and I’m feeling really stressed. I need you to understand that and be patient with me.”
  4. Get to know each other as well as you can to build your bond. No matter how long you’ve been together, you can always get to know your partner even more. Ask their opinions about things. Ask them how they feel. Ask them about work. Ask them about their childhood and their desires in life. The more you know about your partner (and the more they know about you), the stronger your bond can be. [16]
    • You don’t have to bombard your partner with questions, but try to take advantage of opportunities to get to know them even more.
    • For instance, if you start talking about a book or a movie, try asking them when they saw it, what they thought about it, and whether or not they’d watch it again.
    • You can learn a lot about each other just by asking simple questions .
  5. Intimacy can help strengthen the bond in your relationship by bringing you closer together. Many feel-good chemicals are released during intimate activities, like dopamine , serotonin, and endorphins, which can relieve stress and make you feel closer to your partner. [17]
    • A healthy sex life has even proved to help with heart health, burning calories, and your immune system. [18]
  6. Allow them to comfort you by helping them understand. Don’t make your partner guess what’s wrong with you or what you’d like them to do. Be clear and direct and tell them what it is that you need so you can avoid any potential resentment or misunderstanding. By the same token, ask your partner if there’s something that they need if you get a sense that they’re trying to hint at something. [19]
    • For instance, if you need your partner to do something like clean up the living room, try being direct and say something like, “Hey, can you pick up and vacuum the living room?”
    • If something is bothering you emotionally, be clear about that, too. For example, you could say something like, “I’m feeling really down right now, can you make me some tea and sit with me, please?”
  7. Put away any distractions and give them your full attention. Listening is a critical part of healthy communication. Whenever your partner is talking to you, look them straight in the eyes , listen to what they have to say, and avoid distractions like your phone. Even if you don’t agree with what they have to say, it’s important that you show them that you care about them and you’re interested in hearing their thoughts. [20]
    • If your partner doesn’t feel like you listen to them, they may feel less inclined to tell you about their thoughts and feelings or care to listen to yours.
  8. Show your partner that you care and you appreciate them. Whenever your partner does something for you, tell them that you’re thankful for it. Take every opportunity to express your gratitude and appreciation to each other, even if it’s just an “I appreciate you.” It’s a simple and effective way to strengthen your bond and improve your relationship. [21]
    • For instance, if your partner makes dinner, thank them for it. If you bring them lunch or clean up the kitchen, they should be thankful for that, too.
    • Research actually shows that expressing gratitude can improve the relationship for both people. It’s science!
  9. Let your partner know you have their back. You don’t have to solve all of your partner’s problems. In fact, that can sometimes backfire and cause them to feel like you’re criticizing them. Support just means that you let your partner know that you’re on their side and that you’re there to listen to them and help if you can. [22]
    • Just knowing you have your partner’s support can make you feel better and build a stronger bond between you.
    • For instance, if your partner is having a family conflict, you can say something like, “I’m sorry to hear that. It sounds super frustrating, but I’m here if you need me. Please let me know if there’s something I can do to help.”
    • Reader Poll: We asked 1871 wikiHow readers who are in a long-term relationship with their partner, and 56% said that over time, the feelings of love and affection do change—but at the end of the day, both partners still care deeply for each other. [Take Poll] So if you’re worried about maintaining romance in the long term, know that your consistent support can help keep the connection strong, even as things change over time.
    EXPERT TIP

    John Keegan

    Dating Coach
    John Keegan is a Dating Coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. With over 10 years of professional experience, he runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.
    John Keegan
    Dating Coach

    Embrace your partner's growth. As people mature, their interests and priorities may evolve. Prioritize open communication to navigate these changes effectively. Foster a safe space for discussing evolving goals and aspirations, and proactively address feelings of disconnect if once-shared goals no longer align.

  10. It’s okay to disagree, but it’s important to work through them effectively. If you two are in an argument , really try to listen to them and understand things from their perspective. Avoid making generalized or absolute statements about each other, such as “You always do this” or “You never do that.” Try to talk to each other about how you’re feeling and take a “time-out” to cool off if needed. You’ll build a stronger bond by working through your issues together. [23]
    • It’s also helpful to stay focused on the issue at hand and avoid trying to bring up other problems from the past. It can only add to the negativity.
    • Talk about how you feel without blaming your partner and use direct language so everyone is on the same page and no one is confused.
  11. It’s impossible for one person to meet all of your needs. It’s really not fair to expect it from your partner. Maintain healthy relationships with friends and family in addition to your romantic relationship. Make sure all of your emotional needs are being fulfilled and it’ll help strengthen your relationship with your partner. [24]
    • For example, you should still get together with your own friends and spend time with your family.
    • That also means your partner should be able to have his own identity and relationships with friends and family as well.
  12. Having personal hobbies and interests is important for both you and your partner. If there are things you enjoy doing outside of your relationship, keep doing them! If you’re both happy and free to maintain your individual identities, it will only make your romantic relationship stronger. [25]
    • If you or your partner feel like you can’t do things you love to do, it can cause anger and resentment to build in your relationship.
    • For instance, if you like to play video games and your partner likes to golf with their friends, allow each other to have alone time and give each other space to do the things you both enjoy.
  13. You don’t have to wait until you’re having problems, either. Couple’s therapy doesn’t mean you’ve failed. A trained professional can give you and your partner the tools to build a stronger bond and work toward a happier, healthier relationship. Look for licensed counselors, therapists , or psychologists in your area and schedule an appointment if you think it’ll be helpful. [26]
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Section 3 of 3:

What bonds a couple together?

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  1. Shared experiences help couples bond, and in most healthy relationships, each person is able to maintain their individual goals, perspectives, and beliefs. The more these beliefs align, the stronger the bond between a couple tends to be. You don’t have to adopt their beliefs. Instead, try to make sure your two perspectives align. [27]

How Can You Forge a Strong Bond in a Romantic Relationship?


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  • Question
    How do I keep our relationship strong?
    Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
    Communication Therapist
    Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers.
    Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
    Communication Therapist
    Expert Answer
    I suggest setting aside time each week for a relationship check-in. Talk to your partner about any issues your experiencing and discuss how you can best support each other in the upcoming week.
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      Tips

      • Try to check in with your partner regularly to see how they’re doing. Let them know they can talk to you if they’re feeling unhappy.
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      • You can also try going on group dates to mix things up!
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Try not to compare your past relationships to your current ones. Everyone has different needs, so what worked with one partner may not work with another.
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      Warnings

      • If you’re in a physically or emotionally abusive relationship, try to get out of it as fast as you can. Nobody deserves to be mistreated or physically harmed.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/garcia-rada%20sezer%20norton_c5106adb-2f23-4725-bb74-d0ab4f755a5b.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits
      3. ↑ https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-45712-001
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389
      5. ↑ https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/spirituality
      6. ↑ https://fashionjournal.com.au/life/couples-tattoos/
      7. ↑ https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/5-benefits-to-reading-as-a-family/
      8. ↑ https://youthfirstinc.org/the-importance-of-family-traditions/
      9. ↑ https://www.colleendilen.com/2009/07/31/10-reasons-to-visit-a-museum/
      1. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/relationships/steps-to-improving-emotional-intimacy-with-your-partner#tips
      2. ↑ https://www.followyourdetour.com/reasons-why-traveling-strengthens-your-relationship/
      3. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking
      4. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/relationship-help.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.apa.org/topics/marriage/healthy-relationships
      6. ↑ https://www.girlshealth.gov/relationships/healthy/index.html
      7. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201806/how-build-intimate-bond-your-partner
      8. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23040-endorphins
      9. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-sex
      10. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/relationship-help.htm
      11. ↑ https://www.girlshealth.gov/relationships/healthy/index.html
      12. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/comfort-gratitude/202006/why-expressing-gratitude-strengthens-our-relationships
      13. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201806/how-build-intimate-bond-your-partner
      14. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/close-encounters/201704/10-tips-solving-relationship-conflicts
      15. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/relationship-help.htm
      16. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/relationship-help.htm
      17. ↑ https://www.apa.org/topics/marriage/healthy-relationships
      18. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-angry-therapist/201802/is-what-healthy-relationship-looks

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Spending quality time together is one of the best ways to form a stronger bond in your relationship. Set aside time to do things you both enjoy, such as playing games, watching a favorite TV show, or going on an outdoor adventure. Do your best to communicate openly and honestly with your partner, which will encourage trust and help you feel more connected. You’ll also feel more bonded if you take a genuine interest in each other, so ask lots of questions and listen actively to what your sweetheart has to say. Remember to be supportive, but don’t be afraid to get a little vulnerable and let your significant other know when you need something from them. To learn how to show your partner small acts of kindness, read more from our Relationship co-author!

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