Healthy Ways to Say I Love You
Keeping Your Relationship Strong & Vibrant
Learn how to say "I love you" with more than words. These 15 relationship tips will keep your partner happy & your love alive. Good practice even if you're still waiting!
Finding practical, meaningful ways to say "I love you" can be challenging – especially when your actions speak louder than words. Showing love regularly is a worthwhile habit since healthy relationships reduce stress, improve perspective, and boost the immune system. If you learn how to say I love you, you'll benefit from a sweeter relationship.
These relationship tips aren't just for lovers - they affect relationships with friends, siblings, parents, and even mothers-in-law! If you're still waiting for the love of your life, these healthy ways to say I love you will help you get off on the right foot when the time is right.
15 healthy ways to say I love you:
- Flow with the ups and downs. Sometimes you’re in a lousy mood, hurt, stressed, or need to be alone; the same goes with your partner. Every relationship has ups and downs. As long as there's no physical or emotional abuse, learn to ride the valley to the next peak. That's a huge way to say "I love you": trust in your relationship and have faith that the rocky or even boring times will pass.
- Forgive. Forget. Don't bring the past into your current discussions or problems. Say I love you by letting go of past mistakes and disappointments.
- Accept your partner's beliefs about relationships. You may have a different or even conflicting view about the way relationships "should" work. Talk about your different expectations and find common ground.
- Speak up for your needs. Forget the "If you loved me, you'd know," game or expect your partner to read your mind. If you don’t state your needs, you can't get angry or frustrated at your partner for not meeting them. Say I love you by being open and honest.
- Don't be afraid to disagree. Having different perspectives won't ruin your relationship, but abuse, name-calling, and criticism will. Learn how to accept that your partner disagrees with you and still say "I love you."
- Ask questions. Maybe you don't understand why your partner usually forgets your birthday or leaves dirty socks everywhere but in the laundry hamper. Ask why. Getting to the root of the behavior provides more insight than complaining about it. Say I love you by being curious!
- Face problems as they arise. Don't ignore problems or let your resentment simmer. Be honest about how you feel, and try to understand your partner's motivations.
- Listen carefully. Saying "I love you" involves truly listening to your partner's concerns – without judging them. Often we just need someone to hear us, and to try to see things from our perspective.
- Have fun together! Figure out what makes you laugh and incorporate those movies, jokes, or activities into your life regularly. Respect that your sense of humor may be different than your partner's.
- Work hard to stay close. When you're married or committed for the long term, you may drift apart especially when children, the mundane routine, or financial struggles arise. Learning how to say "I love you" no matter how difficult life is will keep your relationship strong.
- Update your dreams regularly and keep your partner involved. When you include your partner, you're clearly saying "I love you."
- Be the first to apologize. The more you both try to smooth the bumps, the happier you'll both be. Say I love you by being willing to make up, forgive, and forget.
- Nurture your self-respect & self-esteem. Be someone you like and respect. Find meaningful work, get involved in the community or church, and pursue professional and personal growth. Explore your interests and passions, and share your life with your partner.
- Cooperate. Don't expect your partner to take the full load – whether it's with the kids, housecleaning, relating to relatives, earning money, or investing. Say I love you by going out of your comfort zone!
- Examine bad relationships. Why do you keep choosing the wrong partner or end up in addictive relationships? Do you make the same mistakes repeatedly? Knowing how to say "I love you" may not effective if you're in the wrong relationship.
Since actions speak louder than words, you can say "I love you" with most of your behaviors at home -- and in public!
If you liked Healthy Ways to Say I Love You, try 64 Ways to Say I Love You.
The copyright of the article Healthy Ways to Say I Love You in Child Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Healthy Ways to Say I Love You must be granted by the author in writing.
