4 Micro Habits to Improve Your Relationship
A big impact doesn't always require big actions.
How’s your relationship?
“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” — John Wooden
These words from basketball coach John Wooden go far beyond the playing field.
It’s about what makes relationships thrive.
We focus on big things and big moments, overlooking the power of small, daily actions.
That’s what this article is about.
In this article, I’ll share 4 micro habits that, when practiced regularly, can lead to amazing improvements in our relationships.
Let’s go.
1 — Daily Appreciation
There are many moments where we take things in life for granted.
Your relationships as well as our partners.
Even in the best relationships, this can cause your bond to fade slowly, and unconsciously.
It’s the worst feeling.
And it comes in phases, and if you’re in a good relationship, it will go away and times of happiness will return.
But if you’re not…
You need to work on your relationship.
And that starts with appreciating each other again. Daily.
You can transform this into a micro habit. What you do is create a daily loop of appreciative moments for you and your partner.
No superficial compliments, look each other in the eyes and try to connect to each other’s soul. Tell them what you like about them, what you appreciate about them, and why you are with them.
It helps to hear this from your partner.
That doesn’t have to be long, just make sure to tell everything and do it every single day.
Then you’ll integrate it into your daily lifestyle and it becomes a micro habit.
2 — Active Listening
We have stopped listening.
Our world is full of distractions and things that keep us away from the things that truly matter.
We might hear each other, but listening? No.
Speaking of good micro habits, active and conscious listening to the people we love is so valuable.
It comes back to true understanding of each other.
Listen with your brain and heart.
Unlike with business talks, don’t plan your conversations. I do this all the time when I’m speaking to people I’m not familiar with — you should never do this with your partner.
This is what you do: just five minutes a day of active listening — it improves communication, and deepens your emotional connection with each other.
Do it by setting up a timeframe where you just sit and talk.
Without interruption.
Don’t check your phone during this and don’t interrupt your partner either, unless something is asked of course.
If they’re finished, try reflecting back on what they’ve said.
As you make this a daily habit, you’ll notice that this 5-minute timeframe isn’t enough and it grows naturally.
And that’s exactly what you want (and need).
3 — Have a Touch Check-in
Of course, physical touch is also a very big part of your relationship and the quality of it.
But, in the hectic life we have, important physical contact is often forgotten or reduced to simple gestures.
That’s not how it’s supposed to be in a good relationship.
This micro habit focuses on a physical touch check-in and it’s about consciously integrating moments of affection into your daily life.
This can help to keep a way of intimacy and getting close.
The power of this micro habit lies in the simple neurochemical responses it triggers — that releases oxytocin and it gives you feelings of trust and attachment.
So start hugging more.
But besides the good effects on your romantic relationship, it also helps to reduce your levels of stress.
Start to use this habit — by discussing what you and your partner want.
The key is to make these touches intentional and mindful, rather than the routine ones.
4 — Shared Gratitude
Not just for couples.
Gratitude is incredibly important to practice. Every single day.
When we’re talking about relationships, a shared gratitude practice can help you improve it massively.
This micro habit involves taking a few moments each day to consciously acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of your life together and what’s attached to that.
It helps to shift your focus from what might be lacking to what you have in your relationship.
This generates more positivity.
Make it a daily routine and this could be done before you begin your day, or what I prefer: in the evening before you go to bed and right before you start your meditation.
You can do this in multiple ways, depending on what you need.
You might each share one thing you’re grateful for about the other person — or focus on shared experiences or, mutual achievements.
Over time, this improves this part of your relationship.
Final Thoughts
That’s it.
These micro habits might seem small, but they have a powerful influence in nurturing your relationship.
Daily appreciation, active listening, touch check-ins, and shared gratitude — each of these practices takes just moments but can create lasting positive change.
Begin small, and consistent, and these small things turn into significant improvements in your relationship.
Take care.
Excellent suggestions!