Appreciating Your Man:Five Ways To Show Him You Appreciate Him

When you've been in a relationship for a while, it can be easy to start taking your partner and everything they do for granted. You may become so accustomed to all their great qualities and actions that you somewhat overlook them. But if your partner feels unappreciated, this can be very detrimental. So, what are some ways to express your appreciation? Read on for a few ideas on how to show your man how much you appreciate him. 

Why does appreciation matter so much?

Showing appreciation can do a lot more than making your partner feel good about themselves for the moment. It can support the partnership long-term in the following ways:

• It can help you keep the love alive, as verbal displays of appreciation can be a show of affection.
• It can open up a line of conversation. Communication in a relationship isn't just about talking when something goes wrong; it can also be beneficial to talk about it when things go right. This can strengthen the partnership and make both of you feel good about the relationship and yourselves.
• It can improve your mindset. Being grateful in general can support your mental health. In relationships, it can help you see your connection in a more positive light.

Appreciating your man how to do it

In relationships, it can be common to fall into routines and unintentionally stop showing appreciation and affection for each other as much. If you are looking for ways to show appreciation for your partner, consider some of the following ideas.

Say it in words

You might think to yourself about how grateful you are for them, how great they are, and how much they do for you, but if you don't tell them or show them, they may not know what you’re thinking. That can mean that even though you may be thinking about how great this person is, they could be feeling unappreciated because they haven’t heard you say it out loud. To show your appreciation, you can try simply putting it into words. You can thank them for something specific, express your gratitude for certain attributes they have, or use any words that capture the general thankfulness you’re feeling. 

Mention the little things you’re grateful for

Sometimes, the little things are what enhance our days the most. Try to spend some time thinking about all the little things that your significant other does for you. Do they get the coffee going in the morning, put gas in your car if they drive it, purposefully choose a restaurant that they know you like when you two go out, or kiss you before going to bed? As you go through your day, try to pay attention to the subtle things your partner does. Then, as you start to spot them, tell your partner you appreciate the little things about them. As you do this, you may start to notice more and more things to be grateful for, too.

Surprise him with a note

It can also be nice to tell your partner you appreciate them by writing notes. You can do this as one long letter or write little notes with one little thing you appreciate about them. Writing it down can be a nice touch because he can keep the notes to look back on in the future. They also allow you to leave them in fun places for your partner to find. It could be on the steering wheel of their car, the box of their favorite protein bars, or the bathroom mirror.

Build him up around others

Building your partner up in front of others can be beneficial for their self-esteem as well. If your partner struggles with jealousy or has been hidden in past relationships, this can be an especially great way to reassure them that you want to celebrate them and that your love isn't something you want to hide.

Do something special for him, like making his favorite meal

There are also lots of ways you can show your appreciation for your partner through actions. You can do something special for him, like bringing him breakfast in bed, planning a special date, or making his favorite meal. These actions can be small and simple or larger and more elaborate, but they can all be ways to show how much you care about and appreciate your partner.

What if he doesn’t do things you appreciate?

You may find yourself reading this and thinking, "I am at a loss. I can't seem to find anything to appreciate." Not all people indeed deserve your appreciation, and it could be that you also feel unappreciated too. Or it could be that you're not being treated well. 

Note that, if abuse of any kind is present, this article is not for you. If you are experiencing or witnessing abuse of any kind, know that help is available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit their website to chat with someone or learn more about abuse.

How a therapist can help

Whether you're working on increasing affection and appreciation in your relationship or something else, a counselor can help you get to the root of what's going on and start expressing yourselves to one another more effectively. 

For some couples, it can be difficult to try to find time for something like therapy with two very busy schedules. With online therapy, you and your partner can meet with a therapist from wherever you have internet—even from separate locations—which may make it easier to coordinate. 

Plus, research has found online therapy to be effective for a range of concerns, including relationship satisfaction. 

Takeaway

Sometimes, it can be easy to take our partner for granted and forget to show our appreciation for all they do and bring to our lives. If you are trying to find more ways to show your partner how much you appreciate them, consider some of the ideas above, such as writing a note, mentioning the little things, and doing something special for them. For additional support with relationship concerns, you can connect with a couples counselor online.