By: John Glover (MBA)

Now is always a good time to show your family, friends and significant others that you love them. Everybody shows their love in different ways, but it’s important to prioritize this to keep relationships happy and healthy. No matter what time of year or what season of life you are in, there are so many ways to appreciate the people around you. 

The first step to spreading a little love is understanding your love language and how you can match the needs of others. This is important because people both receive and give love differently, and this can vary from relationship to relationship. When you are in tune with your love language, it not only helps you feel loved and appreciated, but you can do a better job at helping others feel the same. Relationships are a two-way street, so it’s important to understand both sides. 

Words of Affirmation

Communication is key to any sort of relationship or friendship. Whether that’s talking through problems or being proactive about plans, talking with someone can help you feel connected to them. Communication shows that you are putting in the effort to understand the other person, and can help people be on the same page. Words of affirmation might not help you make plans, but it can help people feel seen.

Things like compliments, encouragement and “I love you” gives people the reassurance they need to grow within a relationship. Words are important and it’s nice to hear good things about yourself. Everyone likes to be complimented and supported, so something small like this can really go a long way, and help people flourish internally. 

Quality Time

Spending time with people you love is necessary for growth. When people go months without hanging out, sometimes it can feel like there is an unspoken message behind that action. Making plans to hang out or planning an activity gives people something to look forward to, and shows that you enjoy their presence. Sometimes you don’t even need an elaborate plan, but just being around one another can bridge gaps and spark a connection. 

A simple movie, dinner or even just doing a puzzle can help show people you care about them. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a vacation for people to understand how you feel about them. Start small and grow from there. 

Acts of Service

Imagine this. 

Your friend hurt themselves on a run and you want to be there for them. You decide to go pick up some pain reliever and a few snacks for them to cheer them up. Acts of service is doing something for someone without being asked, but just because you care for them. Being a good friend is easy, and you may not even really think about it. Having someone take care of you from the good of their heart helps you heal physically and mentally. Knowing you are not alone and have a shoulder to lean on is important in any relationship. 

Gift Giving

Receiving gifts is fun, but seeing the look on someone else’s face when you give the perfect gift is timeless. Buying something special from the store is great, but taking the time to make a homemade gift goes the extra mile. Making a personalized gift from the heart shows someone that you really understand them and pay attention to the things they like. 

“There is nothing like opening a handmade gift to know that someone really cares about you. Gift giving is a love language, and a personalized gift shows your loved one that you listen and pay attention to the things they like. A homemade gift doesn’t have to take you a lot of time either. Just a few hours on a project can really bring people together and create lifelong memories. That’s all anyone really wants. No matter what the craft is, love is glued and stitched to every piece,” says Corey Pearson, Chief Quilt Artist and Brand Ambassador at Linda’s. 

Your project might not even turn out the way you hoped, but the thought is really what counts. 

Physical Touch

We all know how a simple hug can go a long way. Not everyone is a physical touch person and might even steer clear from it, but many people want the physical reassurance of a relationship. Holding someone’s hand, a hug or even a little back rub shows people you enjoy being around them. Physical touch provides comfort and safety for people. It can help people slow down and take a breath in a world that is constantly buzzing. Physical touch might be physical, but it has a lot of mental and emotional effects associated with it. 

All of the love languages have something in common. When put into practice, they show people how much you truly love and care for them. It’s easy nowadays to get caught up in work or just life in general, but all of these help people slow down and prioritize what’s really important. What’s your love language and how can you use it today? 

Published by: Nelly Chavez