Remember when you were building the early stages of your friendship with your partner or spouse? The friendship we have with our partner can keep our love alive, help us heal, reduce the chance for divorce, and ultimately strengthen our bond and connection. Friendship is the best protection against occasional negativity in our relationship. Friendship matters.

Imagine how your relationship might change by incorporating one of these 6 tips:

1. Express gratitude. Be explicit. Let your partner know in specific ways how you value him or her, and the relationship you have created.
2. Make time for your partner. It may seem odd, but schedule time on your calendar to be together. Making time for friendship can make a powerful difference in our relationships. Friendship and love take time.
3. Have fun. Do something together that is easy to make happen or make a list of things you want to try with your spouse. If hiking isn’t your passion, look for the joy and adventure while hiking with your partner. Enjoying your partner is the point.
4. Unconditional friendship. Having your partner’s back is another way to connect and deepen intimacy. Be a booster of your partner and of your relationship.
5. Listen and respond thoughtfully. Let your partner know you hear them by listening carefully. Sometimes body language and eye contact are more helpful than words. Ask open ended questions, such as: “How do you see our life together one year from now?
6. Show affection. We strengthen our friendship when we cuddle, hug, and hold hands. When we show and receive physical affection our stress levels are often reduced, our mood can improve, blood pressure often decreases, and we can experience the release of the feel-good hormones.

If you want additional help or support enhancing your friendship, reach for help from a relationship expert here.