18 Ways To Help Him Feel Loved And Accepted

If you're in a relationship, whether new or long-term, you may be wondering how to help your partner feel loved and accepted. These can be important aspects of any romantic partnership and increase the connection between both individuals. Being a healthy, supportive significant other can help your partner feel safe and supported in the relationship. In this article, we’ll be exploring 18 different ways you can show your partner the love you have for him and help him feel accepted as he is. By caring about your partner's needs, wants, and desires, you can bring happiness into both of your lives, and, with the right tools, you can foster a positive relationship with your partner - one he can value.

Be Spontaneous

Being unpredictable and spontaneous every once and a while can be fun for you and your partner and allows you to experience new things together. Instead of following a typical routine and engaging in predictable weekend activities, try switching it up. For example, when he gets home from work, try taking him out to a new restaurant rather than cooking. Surprise him with his favorite drinks or dessert and suggest a trip that you think you’d both enjoy. Spontaneity can even spice up a relationship that has fallen into a rut.

Express Love Daily

People express love differently and knowing how your partner prefers to receive love can be beneficial. Taking the 5 Love Languages test together can help you form a closer bond and understand each other on a deeper level. You can show love in many ways, beyond saying "I love you." You could give him a back rub after a long day, cook him a nice dinner, or take the time to listen to his thoughts and feelings. You might write him a love letter, clean his car for him, or buy him a gift that he’s been eyeing. There are a million different ways to show you care that can make him feel valued, loved, and supported.

Be Open And Honest 

Honesty is a must in any healthy relationship. If you want to foster healthy communication, try to be open about your feelings. Honesty isn't just about not lying, but also about speaking up when something is wrong. Expressing your feelings, even when it’s difficult to do so, can give your partner insight into who you are and what's important to you. Being open with him can allow him to be vulnerable with you in return. 

Have Open Communication

Open communication can be important for a healthy relationship. Communicate with your partner often and productively. Even when something seems small, keep the lines of communication open. Not talking about issues can often lead to larger arguments in the future. Communication isn't just about talking to your partner. It's making sure you're understood and that you understand your partner as well. Healthy communication is open, honest, frequent, and involves both talking and listening. Hearing what he has to say without judgment or defensiveness can make him feel both loved and accepted. 

Make Compromises

Be prepared to compromise. Try not to worry about who is right or gets their way, but rather what can bring the two of you closer. By working as a team through conflict, you can instill trust in your relationship. Though it may not always be easy to find common ground, it can be incredibly rewarding. By taking responsibility, listening, and engaging with your partner in healthy ways, you can help him feel more comfortable and open with you.

Cultivate Positive Qualities

Positive qualities could include kindness, affection, patience, friendliness, and understanding to help your partner feel loved and accepted by you. By treating him with respect, you can help your partner feel like he can be his authentic self. Remember that everyone has bad days, and it's not your responsibility to force a smile on your face if that isn't how you genuinely feel. However, practicing gratitude and keeping a positive outlook on life can improve your life as well as your partner’s.

Take Care Of Yourself

Taking care of yourself can involve lots of different steps and goes beyond how you look and feel physically. By taking time to be independent, practice self-care, and do things that make you feel positive about yourself, you can look after your mental and emotional health. The healthier your relationship is with yourself, the more you can offer in your relationship with another person. Taking care of yourself can help you take care of your significant other, which could include being there for them emotionally or otherwise.

Accept His Friends And Family

Your partner’s friends and family are an extension of him. Particularly if he’s close with them, they might be an incredibly important aspect of his life, happiness, and health. Even if you’re not fond of his friends and family, it can still be vital to support those relationships. Accepting and respecting them can, in turn, help him feel accepted and loved. Allow him to have agency in his life and give him the space he needs to maintain the interpersonal relationships that he wants.

Be His Best Friend

The word “best friend” can carry a lot of different meanings. Being your partner’s best friend could mean being available to offer comfort and discussion when you feel emotionally able. It could look like offering your support when he’s going through a challenging time. Making yourself available to him when he needs you can help him feel loved and accepted in the relationship. When your relationship is built on a foundation of friendship, it can help it thrive. 

Handle Conflict Together

Disagreements happen between couples all the time. It may not matter how often you fight, or what you fight about, but rather how you repair after conflict. It can be important to engage in disagreements in a respectful manner. If you say hurtful things to your partner in a moment of emotional intensity, it can be difficult to recover. Sometimes, it may be helpful to wait for a more appropriate time to discuss certain topics, but it’s essential to remain open and honest. Remember that you two are a team. Disagreements can be handled together to find a solution and not to "win."

Maintain Your Independence

Though you may love spending as much time as possible with your partner, some space can be healthy in any relationship. By doing things on your own with friends and family, you give each other the chance to have independence within your committed relationship. If you feel anxious without your partner or that you can’t have fun without them, it may be helpful to seek out counseling. Healthy relationships feel assured and bonded.

Listen

Part of being an effective communicator is being an active listener. By really listening to your partner's thoughts, you can create an atmosphere of love and comfort. Instead of listening to respond, try to listen in order to understand. When your partner sees the effort you’re making, it can help them feel loved, no matter what you’re discussing. 

Be Respectful

In order for a relationship to be healthy, it can be important for both partners to respect one another. Showing respect means you don't belittle him, berate him, or abuse him in any way. When you and your partner show respect for each other, it can create a loving environment that nurtures both of you.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in any form, reach out right away to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) for immediate support, advice, and assistance.

Be Intimate

Frequent intimacy with your partner can help build a stable and loving relationship. Intimacy doesn't just mean sex. It also means being affectionate in other ways, such as through hugging, cuddling, kissing, talking, and spending quality time together. Holding hands when you walk down the street, leaning into each other, or even a gentle squeeze while out to dinner can also be forms of intimacy.

Engage In His Interests

Most couples have some type of compatibility in at least one area of life. However, that doesn't mean you both like all of the same things. Still, you can participate in his interests and show you care about them. For example, if he likes sports, take him to a ball game. If he likes comics, take him to Comic-Con. Putting his interests first at times can help him feel loved. 

Show Your Appreciation

Try to show your appreciation for your partner by letting him know what he’s doing well in the relationship. Maybe you’re grateful that he always wants to spend time with you, that he helps you with the household chores, or that he always knows how to comfort you when you’re feeling down. When you're appreciative of his actions, it can make him feel seen and valued.

Stay Present

It can be easy to get distracted, especially with phones, laptops, and tablets at your fingertips. However, being present in the moment can let him know just how special he is to you. When he’s talking, give him your full attention. Try to engage with his thoughts and feelings instead of being dismissive of them. 

Ask Him How You Can Love Him

Sometimes, the easiest way to find out how your partner feels loved and accepted is to ask. After all, he knows himself best. You can say something like, “How can I make you feel more loved this week?” or “What makes you feel safe and accepted by me?” This takes the guesswork out of loving him. 

Online Counseling With BetterHelp

Relationships can be fulfilling, but they can also be complex and confusing. Whether you’re facing conflict or trying to figure out how to make your partner feel more loved, it may be helpful to confide in an online therapist. BetterHelp is an online counseling platform that allows you to connect with your therapist anytime, anywhere. You can choose to speak with them through video chats, phone calls, or in-app messaging, depending on your preferences and needs. Online counseling can be ideal for those with busy schedules, and you can meet at a time that doesn’t interfere with the time you and your partner spend together. 

The Efficacy Of Online Counseling 

Online counseling can be beneficial for individuals and couples alike for a variety of concerns. In one study, researchers found that couples therapy delivered via videoconferencing can have many benefits for the relationship. Results showed “improvements in relationship satisfaction, mental health, and all other outcome scores over time.” 

Counselor Reviews 

"Rachel is awesome! Gently encouraging and very responsive. I prefer to communicate via messages, and I love that that is an option. I feel that she understands me and is never judgmental. The stress from work impacts my partner less since I've been talking to Rachel - I am managing my stress and insecurity better."

"I would refer Helen to anyone that would need to speak to a counselor. She listens and gives excellent advice. My husband and I are the closest we've ever been."

The Takeaway

Romantic relationships can be a beautiful thing, and by continuing to put care and effort into your relationship, you can set yourself up for success. A counselor can also help to implement certain tips, like improving communication and confidence. This can allow your relationship to become healthier and more fulfilling. Taking the first step with an online therapist can improve your relationship and foster a sense of love and acceptance within it.