Emotional Needs

Meeting emotional needs in a marriage is essential for building a strong, healthy, and fulfilling relationship. It's important to communicate with your partner about your emotional needs and work together to meet each other's needs.

Instructions

Take time to go through the emotional needs mentioned below. Take some paper and write down your top 3 emotional needs in your marriage. Once you have identified them, write down 2 or 3 concrete ways your partner can meet those needs. Be specific and be clear in your request.

Words of Affirmation – being appreciated for who you are by your partner

Appreciation - being commended for the things you have done well

Attention – focusing on each other to the exclusion of any distractions

Companionship and friendship – doing things together and sharing experiences. Enjoying each other's presence.

Communication – talking together about issues of interest and importance. Being able to talk and listen effectively without barriers and miscommunications.

Empathy - Feeling deeply emotionally understood by your partner

Encouragement – being inspired to keep going through your partner's words

Honesty – being confident of your partner's openness about their lives, including their feelings and ideas

Physical affection – feeling loved through touch like hugs, kisses, holding hands, etc.

Practical help – experiencing your partner’s help in big or small tasks

Presents – receiving tangible expressions of love and thoughtfulness

Respect – having your ideas and opinions considered and valued by your partner

Security – facing the future confident of your partner's commitment to love and stay with you. Feeling physically and emotionally safe in the relationship.

Sexual intimacy – having regular opportunities to express and receive love through your sexual relationship

Support – knowing your partner is working with you to fulfil your goals

Trust - knowing you can depend on your partner's honesty and loyalty. Being assured of their reliability.

Time together – knowing your partner has set aside time to be with you regularly

Understanding – knowing your partner is aware of what matters to you