10 Couple Exercises For Communication To Improve Your Relationship

Communication is a critical ingredient for successful relationships, but it’s often one of the first things to go when couples get busy. Don’t let your relationship suffer from a lack of communication - use these 10 couple exercises to foster better communication in your relationship. With a bit of effort, these exercises can help you and your partner build a stronger connection and create an environment of openness and understanding. The exercises are easy to do and don’t require a lot of time, so you can incorporate them into your daily routine and start enjoying the benefits of better communication right away. So, if you’re looking to strengthen your relationship, don’t wait any longer - get started today with these 10 couple exercises!

Benefits of better communication in relationships

Communication is the foundation of every healthy relationship. When two people are able to talk openly and honestly, they can address any issues and misunderstandings that might arise, and keep their relationship strong. But when communication breaks down, those issues can go unresolved, damaging the relationship over time. When you’re able to talk openly and honestly with your partner, you can discuss topics like your likes and dislikes, dreams and goals, and even your deepest fears. Communication also helps you feel comfortable expressing your emotions, which can be extremely beneficial in a relationship!

Couple Exercises For Communication

Exercise 1: Set Aside Time For Conversation

Regularly set aside time to talk with your partner, so you can foster a greater sense of understanding and connection. You can choose a time that works best for you and your partner, whether it’s once a week, once a month, or once a day. When setting up your communication time, pick a place that’s relaxing for both of you. Avoid places that are typically associated with other activities, like the kitchen or the bedroom. These places might be too distracting, and make it harder to concentrate on the conversation. Instead, choose a neutral place, like the living room or a park. Once you’ve established a regular time and place for your conversations, make it a priority. If you want to strengthen your relationship, you need to take action. That means setting aside time for communication and actually showing up for the conversation.

Exercise 2: Listen To Each Other

Listening is just as important as talking. When you’re listening to your partner, you’re showing them that you genuinely care about what they have to say. You’re also allowing yourself to be vulnerable and open up to your partner. This can create a deeper connection between you and your partner. Make sure you’re actively listening to your partner when they’re talking. Avoid thinking about what you’re going to say next or what you did during your day. Focus on what your partner is saying and try to take in their words as much as possible.

Exercise 3: Discuss Your Goals

As a couple, discuss your future goals, dreams, and aspirations so you can foster a better understanding of each other’s wishes and desires. Talk about where you want to live, what type of work you want to do, and how many kids you want to have. When you’re discussing your goals, make sure you’re not making assumptions about what your partner wants. If you want to go to grad school, make sure you’re not assuming your partner wants you to drop out to stay home and raise children. Instead, be open and honest about your desires, so you can find out what your partner wants out of life.

Exercise 4: Share Your Feelings

Communication isn’t just about talking - it’s also about expressing your emotions. When you’re communicating with your partner, make sure you’re expressing your emotions, too. This will help you avoid bottling up your feelings, which can lead to resentment or, in extreme cases, depression. When you make sure to share your emotions with your partner, you’re letting them know how they make you feel. Instead of saying, “Why can't you ever buy milk,” you can say, “I’m really frustrated that we’re out of milk, because I needed it for my coffee.” Similarly, instead of saying, “I’m so excited to see that movie,” you can say, “I’m nervous about going to that movie because I’ve heard bad things about it.”

Exercise 5: Ask Questions

Asking your partner questions can help you understand them better, and it can also help you feel more comfortable expressing yourself. You can ask your partner questions about their day, their childhood, their goals, dreams, and aspirations, or even their deepest fears. When you’re asking your partner questions, make sure you’re not interrogating them. Ask your questions in a nonjudgmental tone, so your partner feels safe and comfortable opening up to you. Take some time to process the answers, so you can fully understand what your partner is telling you.

Exercise 6: Practice Active Listening

Active listening is a technique that helps you focus on your partner’s words and fully understand their meaning. Active listening can be applied to any type of conversation, whether you’re discussing your goals or sharing your feelings. When you’re actively listening to your partner, avoid thinking about what you want to say next and instead focus on what they’re saying. Make sure you’re regularly nodding or making eye contact to show your partner you’re actively listening to them.

Exercise 7: Talk About Your Day

Communication is not just about talking about each other - it’s also about talking about yourself. Spend time every day talking about what happened in your day. This can include discussing your plans for the next day, too. When you talk about your day with your partner, be open and honest about how it went. Avoid talking about your day like it was a great movie - say how it actually was, with all its ups and downs.

Exercise 8: Express Gratitude

When you’re expressing gratitude to your partner, you’re not only helping them feel appreciated - you’re also helping yourself. Being grateful for your partner can help you appreciate all the benefits of your relationship, and it can help you avoid taking your partner for granted. When you’re expressing gratitude to your partner, make sure you’re not just saying, “Thanks” at the end of the day. Instead, make gratitude a part of your daily conversation with your partner. This can include picking one thing you’re grateful for that day and sharing it with your partner.

Exercise 9: Discuss Your Relationship

Take some time to discuss your relationship as a whole. This can include talking about how long you’ve been together, your individual relationship statuses, and any issues you may be having. When you’re discussing your relationship, make sure you’re not just talking about the surface-level details. Instead, make sure you’re really digging into what’s going on between you and your partner, so you can identify any issues and start working on solving them.

Time Out

A time out can be a good way to help you and your partner to take a step back from an argument and calm down. It's a way of separating yourself from a situation for a short period of time so that you can come back to it with a fresh perspective. When you and your partner are in the middle of an argument, you might be too caught up in your own emotions to think clearly and find a solution. In these situations, a time out can help you regain your composure and your focus so you can have a productive conversation.

Conclusion

Romantic relationships are full of ups and downs, and communication is the key to weathering the storm. When you and your partner are able to openly talk to each other, you can work through any issues you’re having and keep your relationship strong. When you make sure you’re regularly communicating with your partner, you can foster a deeper understanding of each other and create an environment of openness and trust. With these 10 couple exercises for communication, you can strengthen your relationship and foster better communication. Now is the time to build a stronger connection with your partner.