How To Express Love

Expressing love can be done in many ways, and individuals might have varying "love languages." You can express love to a friend, families, or partner through touch, words, actions, quality time, gifts, and many other forms. Many people consider saying "I love you" one of the most direct ways of telling someone you care. However, you can try other methods as well. 

Benefits Of Expressing Love 

Demonstrating love allows you to meet social needs for love and belonging, outlined in Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid. Additionally, many psychological studies list social connection as essential for physical and mental health. We often learn about love and care when we are babies and children, depending on how our caregivers meet our needs. If love isn't expressed or our needs aren't met, we may develop insecure attachments and struggle with adult relationships. 

Love may not have to be expressed in the same way for every person and every situation. However, it can show someone else that you care and value their place in your life. Additionally, it may improve the health of you both.

Nonverbal Expressions Of Love

In some cases, individuals might express love through their actions. Non-verbal expressions of love may involve physical expressions of affection. These might be subtle, such as giving your partner a back rub, trying to be physically close, holding hands, or hugging. 

You can also try to express non-verbal love through your body language, such as smiling or leaning toward someone. Spending quality time physically close to someone but not necessarily touching is another way to express care. 

Verbal Expressions Of Love

"I love you," or other loving phrases can be verbal love. Some people might feel loved through other phrases like "thank you," "I miss you," or "you're important to me." You can also welcome your partner into family conversations or express love to a friend by telling them how much you value their friendship. 

Bragging about your loved one is another way to demonstrate love. Talking about your loved one's accomplishments can show your partner how much you care for them. You can do this when you introduce your partner to friends, family, and coworkers or post a photo of them and caption it endearingly. 

Creative Expressions Of Love

If non-verbal acts or verbal expressions don't seem to feel enough, consider creating something for the people you love. Creating a gift can communicate devotion and thoughtfulness, especially if you put time and effort into it. You can give love to people in the following creative ways: 

• Writing a poem
• Creating a scrapbook
• Creating jewelry or a locket with a photo of you both 
• Creating a photo memory book
• Creating a relationship time capsule to open in the future
• Writing letters for your partner to open at different moments in their life 
• Creating a jar of date ideas

Exploring Love Languages

Exploring your love language may help you determine what forms of expression you prefer.

Each of these can represent a unique way to give and receive love. Differing love languages can initially cause friction within the relationship, as one or both partners might not feel appropriately loved and seen. Love languages are not ways to determine who is low maintenance; they are tools to help couples navigate the complexities of love.

If your partner wants physical touch, but you want quality time, both of you can consider practicing the love language of the other when giving love, and both of you may feel satisfied when receiving it. However, note that consent can be critical when giving physical touch. Asking a partner about what they feel comfortable with and respecting that are important.

When Expressing Of Love May Be Unhealthy 

In some instances, expressions of love may be unhealthy. In unrequited love or non-consensual relationships, do not try to express love without prior consent. For example, your friend might not be interested in romantic forms of love. If you continue to try to send romantic letters, hug them without permission, or send gifts to their workplace, it could be considered harassment or stalking.

Therapy As A Tool For Healthy Love 

Expressing love can be multifaceted and varied. Each expression might depend on your relationship with your loved ones, your intimacy levels, and the depth of your love. There is no single way to correctly express love, as long as it is healthy and consensual. Some periods might see fewer expressions of love, as in moments of stress or transition. Others might include grand expressions, such as a proposal or a wedding day. 

Many relationships can have ups and downs. If you're having trouble coming up with ways to say I love you daughter and son, therapy can be an effective way to learn ways to express love and strengthen your relationships.  Couples therapy can be difficult to arrange with an in-person therapist when you and your partner have busy schedules, so you might benefit from trying online counseling. 

A recent study indicates that couples who work with an online counselor find the format less judgmental than in-person therapy and as effective as other methods. Participants said that internet-based therapy allowed them to focus on the therapeutic process and offered a more robust sense of control and comfort than traditional face-to-face therapy. You can decide whether to partake in video, phone, or live chat sessions with your licensed therapist through online counseling. You and your partner can also gain worksheets and resources to support you in your relationship. 

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