The Importance Of Giving Thanks (Gratitude) In A Relationship

I found new research which states that expressing gratitude in a relationship is the only single way to maintain a high-quality and long-lasting relationship.

According to researchers at the University of Georgia, “Saying “thank you” and showing appreciation can act as an effective buffer to divorce and dictate how committed partners feel in their relationship.”

Well, when couples enter their queries in Calm Sage related to communication issues, financial issues, parenting issues, or inequity issues, one thing I have discovered in common is that the problem is not about paying bills, cleaning the dishes, or looking after the kid for a day.

It’s all about the unmet needs. As a content curator, I often see couples doing whatever it takes to strengthen their relationship. Sometimes, they miss a very important part which is showing gratitude toward their partner.

Also Read: The Little Things That Matter In Every Relationship

I feel that couples must learn to communicate their needs or gratitude to elevate closeness. In this blog, we will understand the importance of saying “thank you” in a relationship and ways to express gratitude in a relationship.

Importance of Saying Thank You in a Relationship

1. Helps change our perspective

A thankful posture with expressions of gratitude can help change our perspective from negative to positive. It also helps in getting attracted to the qualities of our partners. If your partner is not able to fold the laundry perfectly, you can vouch for the perfectly cooked pasta that they make for you whenever you feel low.

Also Read: ‘You Are Not Your Thoughts’ What This Means & Why It’s Important

2. Helps partners heal

Saying thank you to your partner can help your partner understand their values, adequacy, and worth especially when they are criticized by their own inner demons. Expressing gratitude also elevated the loveable nature of couples.

It’s a fact that we try to reflect on what our partners habitually miss about themselves. In such moments of gratitude, one can find healing and frequent gestures can bring significant differences.

3. Helps elevate the communication

Expressing gratitude helps us examine the right way to communicate and understand our emotional needs of us. For example, if you’re wondering how to ask your partner to help with cooking, you can start by expressing gratitude and asking them to help you. It can help you make a better communicator in the relationship.

4. Helps reinforce new positive patterns

Expressing gratitude or saying a simple “thank you” can help to break the ice and can help in developing new positive patterns. “Thank you” is one of the powerful persuasions for continued change. The next time you feel heard or understood by your partner, simply say “thank you” so that they can reflect on the same.

Also Read: Positive vs Negative Reinforcement: Which Is More Effective?

5. Helps empower the partner

Cultivating gratitude in a relationship is empowering. Trust me, it’s not cliché but it helps in fostering the ability to reinforce healthy and positive patterns in an empowering manner. It can also help in developing more intimacy, closeness, and connection in a relationship.

6 Impactful Ways to Express Gratitude to your Partner

1. Understand your partner’s love language

It is important to learn about your and your partner’s love language. It helps in understanding how both of you want to give and receive love. The love languages are based on receiving gifts, physical touch, acts of service, words of affirmation, and quality time. Therefore, understand the love language and strengthen your relationship.

2. Begin with small gestures

Whenever you find comfort in your partner, start acknowledging the small gestures that you or your partner do to keep the relationship fresh and intact. After that, take a small pause and appreciate your partner for the little things they do. These small gestures can ultimately add up to something big.

3. Be specific when you communicate

Whenever it comes to expressing gratitude, don’t make the conversation big by adding things. Keep it simple, be specific, and let them know that you feel lucky to have them.

According to a couples therapist, “When you apologize to your partner, it’s always better to say why you’re sorry- and the same goes for expressing gratitude.”

4. Don’t forget about yourself

It sounds understandable, but I wanted to make it clear about meeting your own emotional needs. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself too. Make sure you get enough sleep, rest, and space to protect your relationship from conflicts.

5. Maintain a shared gratitude journal

This can sound a little creepy but trust me, it works every time. Whenever you want to express gratitude, you can keep a shared journal and enter small notes of appreciation to let your partner know how much you love them!

Also Read: Best Gratitude Journals to Transform Your Life

I hope this blog helps you understand the importance of expressing gratitude in a relationship. Comment down and share “which way you’re going to pick to express gratitude towards your partner?”

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Thanks for reading!

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