Your relationship feels good, but you know it could be even better. You’re not dealing with major issues or considering breaking up.
You simply want to strengthen what you have and create something that lasts.
After years of counseling couples, I can tell you that the strongest relationships aren’t the ones that never have problems.
They’re the ones where both partners consistently invest in making things better, even when everything seems fine.
I’ve worked with countless couples who waited until their relationships were in crisis before taking action.
Today, I’m sharing 13 little things that make massive differences in relationship strength.
13 Little Things To Do To Make Your Relationship Stronger
These strategies work because they address the fundamental needs every healthy relationship requires: appreciation, connection, trust, intimacy, and mutual support.
Let’s break down exactly how to implement each one.
1. Help With Chores
Nothing kills romance faster than resentment over unequal household labor.
One partner feeling burdened with most of the work while the other coasts create anger that eventually poisons even the strongest connection.
I’ve seen this pattern destroy more relationships than infidelity.
Unequal chore distribution communicates that one person’s time and energy matter less than the other’s.
That message erodes respect and affection over time.
Helping with chores shows:
- You genuinely care about your partner’s wellbeing
- You’re attentive to their needs and stress levels
- You view the relationship as a partnership of equals
- You respect their time as much as your own
Have an open conversation about household responsibilities.
Discuss what each of you prefers doing, what you both hate, and how to divide things fairly.
Some couples split tasks 50/50, others divide by preference or schedule.
The key is both people feeling the division is equitable.
Revisit this conversation regularly as circumstances change.
What worked when you were both working full-time might not work when one person’s schedule shifts.
2. Write Love Notes
A handwritten love note is a tangible expression of appreciation that your partner can keep and revisit forever.
In our digital age, something physical and personal carries extra emotional weight.
Love notes don’t need to be long or poetic. They just need to be genuine. Write about:
- Specific qualities you admire about them
- Moments when they made you happy
- Why you’re grateful they’re in your life
- What you love about your relationship
Leave notes in unexpected places: their car, work bag, bathroom mirror, wallet, or pillow. The surprise element amplifies the impact.
They never know when they’ll discover another reminder of your love.
These notes become treasured keepsakes that document your relationship’s journey.
Years later, you’ll both appreciate having physical evidence of your love during different stages together.
3. Prioritize Intimacy
Physical intimacy gets relegated to the back burner when life gets busy, but that’s exactly when you need it most.
Intimate connection reduces stress, strengthens bonds, and reminds you why you’re together.
Don’t let your intimate life become routine or predictable. Find ways to keep things fresh and exciting:
- Try new approaches or change your usual routine
- Communicate openly about desires and preferences
- Schedule time for intimacy rather than hoping it happens spontaneously
- Create anticipation throughout the day
- Make your bedroom a priority space
Physical connection isn’t just about the act itself it’s about maintaining desire, attraction, and playfulness in your relationship.
When you prioritize this aspect of your connection, everything else improves too.
4. Show Physical Affection Throughout The Day
Casual physical affection keeps you connected between more intimate moments.
These small touches communicate desire, love, and attraction without requiring scheduled time or specific settings.
Effective casual affection includes:
- Stolen kisses while passing in the hallway
- Touching their arm or back when talking
- Holding hands while watching TV
- Hugging for no particular reason
- Playful touches that create anticipation
These gestures tell your partner they’re wanted and desired constantly, not just during designated intimate time.
That ongoing affirmation strengthens emotional security and keeps attraction alive.
FPhysical touch is one of the five love languages, and even people who don’t identify it as their primary language still need regular affection.
Make touching each other throughout the day a natural habit.
5. Give Your Partner Access To Your Phone
In an era where phones contain our entire digital lives, sharing access demonstrates complete trust. You’re essentially saying, “I have nothing to hide from you.”
This doesn’t mean you need to hand over passwords and sit there while they scroll through everything.
It means your partner should feel comfortable picking up your phone to check something without worrying about what they might discover.
This level of transparency:
- Builds trust and security
- Eliminates suspicion and anxiety
- Demonstrates commitment and faithfulness
- Creates reciprocal openness
If the idea of your partner accessing your phone makes you nervous, ask yourself why.
Are you hiding something that would hurt them? That’s the real issue that needs addressing.
6. Randomly Check In With Your Partner
A two-minute phone call in the middle of the day to say “thinking about you” carries enormous emotional weight.
It communicates that even when you’re apart and busy, they occupy space in your thoughts.
These check-ins aren’t about logistics or coordinating schedules.
They’re purely about connection. Call to:
- Say you love them
- Share something that reminded you of them
- Ask how their day is going
- Tell them you’re looking forward to seeing them
The randomness and lack of agenda make these calls special.
Your partner knows you’re calling simply because you wanted to connect, not because you need something.
Use apps like Google Calendar to set random reminders throughout the week if you struggle to remember.
The consistency of these check-ins matters as much as the individual calls.
7. Show Affection In Public
Public displays of affection tell your partner and the world that you’re proud to be with them.
You’re not hiding your relationship or treating them differently in public versus private.
You don’t need to make out in grocery stores. Simple public affection includes:
- Holding hands while walking
- Sitting close together at restaurants
- Touching their arm during conversations
- Quick kisses when greeting or parting
- Putting your arm around them
If your partner seems uncomfortable with public affection, respect their boundaries while gently encouraging them to expand their comfort zone.
For some people, this takes time and patience.
8. Say “I Love You” Often And Give More Compliments
Never assume your partner knows you love them. Say it regularly, and mean it every time.
These three words reinforce emotional security and remind both of you why you’re together.
Pair “I love you” with specific compliments:
- “I love how patient you are with difficult people”
- “You looked amazing today”
- “I appreciate how hard you work for our family”
- “Your sense of humor makes every day better”
- “I love how thoughtful you are”
Generic compliments are nice, but specific ones show you’re paying attention.
They demonstrate that you notice and appreciate particular qualities and actions.
9. Show Appreciation Daily
Gratitude is the antidote to taking each other for granted.
When you actively notice and acknowledge what your partner does, you create a positive atmosphere where both people feel valued.
Express appreciation for:
- Household contributions
- Emotional support
- Financial contributions
- Small thoughtful gestures
- Simply being present and committed
Make appreciation specific rather than generic. “Thank you for unloading the dishwasher without being asked” beats “thanks for everything.”
Specific appreciation shows you noticed the actual action.
Use a gratitude app like Gratitude or ThankView to remind yourself to express appreciation regularly.
Building this habit transforms relationship dynamics over time.
10. Remember Special Days
Forgetting important dates communicates that your partner and your relationship don’t matter enough to remember.
Even if you’re terrible with dates, technology makes this inexcusable.
Important dates to remember:
- Birthdays (theirs, yours, kids, important family members)
- Anniversary
- First date anniversary
- Other milestones meaningful to your relationship
Set reminders in Google Calendar or Apple Calendar weeks in advance. This gives you time to plan something special rather than scrambling at the last minute.
The effort you put into celebrating these days shows how much you value your relationship and your partner.
Consistent remembering and celebrating builds security and shows commitment.
11. Dress Up For Your Partner
Making an effort with your appearance shows you still want to be attractive to your partner.
This isn’t about conforming to unrealistic beauty standards. It’s about demonstrating that you value their attraction to you.
Dressing up means:
- Wearing clothes they’ve mentioned liking
- Making an effort on date nights
- Maintaining basic grooming and hygiene
- Occasionally surprising them with new looks
- Showing you care about remaining attractive to them
Comfort matters, but so does effort. You don’t need to be runway-ready every day, but showing zero effort communicates that you’ve stopped trying to appeal to your partner.
This works both ways. Both partners should make effort to remain attractive to each other. It’s a form of respect and appreciation.
12. Support Each Other’s Goals
You cannot build a strong relationship by tearing down each other’s dreams.
Your partner’s success should excite you, not threaten you.
Their achievements don’t diminish you they enhance the life you’re building together.
Supporting their goals means:
- Listening when they talk about their aspirations
- Asking about progress and setbacks
- Celebrating wins, no matter how small
- Offering encouragement during difficult times
- Making sacrifices when necessary to help them succeed
Be each other’s biggest cheerleaders. When your partner knows you genuinely want them to succeed, they feel safe pursuing their dreams without fear of judgment or resentment.
This creates a partnership where both people can reach their full potential.
That mutual support and celebration of success strengthen your bond immeasurably.
13. Give Random Gifts
Surprise gifts (out of the blue) show you think about your partner even when there’s no special occasion.
These unexpected gestures brighten their day and reinforce that they’re valued and loved.
Effective random gifts:
- Don’t need to be expensive
- Should reflect knowledge of their preferences
- Show thoughtfulness more than money
- Surprise them when they least expect it
- Match their love language if gifts resonate with them
The value matters far less than the thought behind it.
Their favorite candy bar, a book they mentioned wanting, coffee from their favorite shop, or flowers for no reason all work beautifully.
Use Amazon or Etsy to find thoughtful gifts that match their interests.
The goal is making them feel special and thought about, not impressing them with expense.
Why Small Actions Create Big Results
Relationship strength isn’t built through occasional grand gestures. It’s built through consistent small actions that compound over time into powerful emotional bonds.
Think of relationships like physical fitness. One amazing workout doesn’t make you fit. Consistent daily exercise creates lasting transformation.
The same principle applies to relationships. These 13 practices work because they:
- Create consistent positive interactions
- Build emotional security through reliability
- Demonstrate ongoing care and attention
- Prevent resentment from accumulating
- Keep attraction and appreciation alive
- Strengthen trust through transparency
- Maintain connection despite busy schedules
When you implement even half of these consistently, you’ll notice dramatic improvements in relationship satisfaction, connection, and resilience.
Common Mistakes That Undermine Relationships
Knowing what strengthens relationships matters, but so does knowing what weakens them. Avoid these common relationship killers:
Taking Each Other For Granted
Familiarity breeds complacency if you’re not careful. Never assume your partner knows they’re appreciated. Show them consistently through words and actions.
Letting Life Overwhelm Your Connection
Work, kids, responsibilities life gets busy and relationships suffer. You must intentionally protect time and energy for your partnership, or it will deteriorate.
Keeping Score
Relationships aren’t competitions where you track who does more or loves more. Scorekeeping creates resentment.
Focus on giving generously rather than ensuring perfect equality.
Avoiding Difficult Conversations
Problems don’t disappear when ignored they grow. Address issues when they’re small rather than waiting until they become relationship-threatening.
Final Thoughts
Building a strong relationship isn’t about doing something extraordinary it’s about being intentional and consistent.
Healthy couples still face challenges; they just keep investing in their bond every day, even when things seem fine. That steady effort prevents bigger problems later.
That’s how you build something that lasts 🙂
