Some couples make it look easy to have a healthy relationship, but the truth is, they do the work to make their bond strong. Couples therapist Amy Morin says a lot of couples who want to establish deeper trust show up to therapy expecting to do “trust exercises” or go to a “trust-building retreat,” but that’s not how it works.
“Trust isn’t built through dramatic games or one-time events,” she explains. “It’s developed by showing up for each other in small but meaningful ways over and over again. And weekends are a prime opportunity to engage in activities that build deeper bonds.”
Want to be one of mentally strong couples? Morin says they do these five things every weekend to create rock-solid trust.
- They spend intentional time apart - “Healthy independence is one of the best ways to build trust,” according to the therapist. When each partner is pursuing their own interests, they’re showing mutual trust. They feel secure enough to let each other do their own thing and feel more energized when they reconnect after that “me time.”
- They create rituals together - Weekends can be busy, but couples who have small, predictable things they can look forward to tend to have stronger connections. These rituals give them stability and can be as simple as taking a walk on Sunday evenings or enjoying coffee together on the porch on Saturday mornings.
- They talk openly about feelings - It’s not always easy to be honest and open, even with the person you love most. But being mentally strong means sharing things, even uncomfortable feelings, like stress at work or embarrassment after failure, which helps build intimacy.
- They make space for quality time - Spending time together isn’t the same as truly connecting. Strong couples prioritize each other and give undivided attention to their partner, whether it’s having tech-free meals or working on a DIY project together.
- They show sincere appreciation - When you’ve been together for a while, it’s easy to take each other for granted, but the strongest couples make a point to notice and share the things they value about each other, even if it’s as simple as, “thanks for making me tea.”
Source: CNBC