8 Ways To Be More Affectionate In A Relationship

Learning how to be more affectionate in a relationship can mean quite a few things. Yes, you are showing your fondness for someone, but there are numerous ways to do that. Everything from holding hands to buying gifts and even taking the garbage out can help you to be more affectionate.

Instead of thinking of affection as a way for you to change who you are as a person, think of it as a way to be even more you. A way to open yourself up.

If you aren’t touchy-feely, you don’t have to be. Being affectionate in a relationship comes in all different shapes and sizes.

# How does your partner show affection?

If you are looking for ways to be more affectionate in a relationship, that may be because your partner is great at it while you may be lacking. Or perhaps your partner told you that you’re not so great and expressing your affections.

So look at what your partner does to show you how much you are appreciated.

Do they write you love notes? Make you dinner? Or maybe they kiss you before you go off to work every day.

We’re not saying you should copy the way they show affection, but their behavior can give you some ideas of what sort of things would make them happy and feel loved.

We give what we hope to receive, so the easiest way to be affectionate in a relationship is by starting to reciprocate what your partner does for you.

# Get to know your partner’s love language

Everyone gives and receives affection differently. You may appreciate physical touch, but maybe your partner needs you to be vocal with your feelings. Once you figure out what sort of action means the most to your partner, you can alter your behavior accordingly.

Usually, there are five ways: acts of kindness, giving gifts, physical touch, quality time, and words of assurance.

# Ask your partner what they need

If you can’t pick up on what your partner is looking for from you, simply ask what they need from you to know how much you care. Your partner will appreciate the effort and that you want to show affection in the way that suits them the most.

The act of asking your partner what they need is in and of itself more affectionate.

# Make small gestures

Showing affection does not have to be a grand gesture. It can be as simple as treating them to their favorite dessert or driving out of the way to get that weird snack they love.

Affection is more than a cuddle here and an “I love you” there. Even offering to do the dishes when it is your partner’s turn shows your affection for them. Let’s be honest, who would do the dishes for someone they don’t care about?

# Say “thank you”

And mean it. This may not seem like a term of endearment or a way to show affection, but it really, really is.

Do you remember as a child when your mom would make dinner and no one ever said thank you, and she would say, “No one around here appreciates me?” Well, this is the same idea but in the arms of a romantic relationship.

Showing someone affection doesn’t just start with you. You have to reciprocate the things they do and make it clear you appreciate it, and something as simple as a thank you can make all the difference.

Did your partner stay up all night to help you study? Or maybe they waited for the cable person to come? Say thank you, it means a lot.

# The power of touch

Here is the one you’ve been waiting for. On the surface, you may consider affection to be the same as intimacy, but in reality, that is only one facet of being affectionate. Everything from holding hands to cuddling on the sofa shows affection.

When you are fond of someone, you want to be near them. Touching the person you care about has been proven to increase the happy chemicals in your brain, known as endorphins.

That is why a hug from your partner at the end of a long day feels so good. Make it your mission to touch your partner more, and not just sexually!