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Appreciation
Munay
Appreciation
Learn how showing gratitude for your partner’s efforts creates warmth, boosts connection, and strengthens your bond. Learn how to build this healthy relationship habit with Munay.
Why it matters
Expressing appreciation is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to nurture and strengthen relationships. Whether in romantic partnerships, friendships, or family dynamics, regularly acknowledging the value and effort of others fosters an environment of positivity, respect, and mutual support.
When you express gratitude, you not only reinforce positive behaviors but also build a deeper emotional connection. Research shows that showing appreciation is key to building trust, increasing relationship satisfaction, and even reducing stress. It communicates that you see and value the other person, which in turn strengthens the bond.
What is appreciation?
When you take the time to show appreciation, you’re sending a clear signal that the person’s actions and presence are important to you. Small gestures of appreciation - whether verbal or through actions - can significantly impact the emotional climate of a relationship.
When you take the time to show appreciation, you’re sending a clear signal that the person’s actions and presence are important to you. Small gestures of appreciation - whether verbal or through actions - can significantly impact the emotional climate of a relationship.
Science behind it
Expressing appreciation affects both the emotional and physiological aspects of our well-being. Research shows that gratitude activates brain regions associated with happiness and reward, including the prefrontal cortex and the ventral striatum. These areas are associated with feelings of pleasure and positive reinforcement.
It also suggests that expressing appreciation can improve feelings of closeness, increase relationship satisfaction, and even enhance physical health by reducing stress. It indicates that couples who frequently express gratitude toward one another tend to experience higher levels of happiness and a greater sense of intimacy. This suggests that appreciation directly influences the emotional well-being of both individuals in the relationship.
Additionally, showing gratitude can foster a positive feedback loop. When appreciation is expressed, it encourages the recipient to engage in behaviors that are valued and reinforces the bond between people. Acknowledging and thanking someone for their effort or kindness promotes a culture of respect and care within the relationship.
Benefits for your health
Expressing appreciation can significantly improve relationship dynamics, fostering an environment where both individuals feel valued, loved, and respected. Research consistently demonstrates that gratitude is linked to increased relationship satisfaction, higher self-esteem, and a more supportive dynamic.
Without regular appreciation, relationships can experience emotional distance, misunderstandings, and dissatisfaction. Over time, this may lead to resentment or detachment. In contrast, expressing appreciation keeps the relationship connected, reaffirming your emotional bond and reinforcing positive behaviors.
Additionally, appreciation encourages a sense of security within the relationship. When people feel valued, they’re more likely to invest emotionally and put effort into the relationship, knowing that their actions are seen and cherished.
How to build this habit
Here are practical ways to make expressing appreciation a regular part of your relationship:
- Be specific: Instead of a general “thank you,” be specific about what you’re appreciating. For example, “I really appreciate how you helped me with the household chores today; it made my day so much easier.”
- Make it timely: Express your appreciation as soon as possible. Letting the person know in the moment that you value their actions reinforces the impact of the gesture.
- Use different methods: Appreciation doesn’t have to be limited to verbal acknowledgment. A handwritten note, a thoughtful gesture, or a small gift can all convey gratitude effectively.
- Appreciate the small things: Big gestures aren’t the only times to express appreciation. Acknowledging the everyday efforts—like making a cup of coffee, offering emotional support, or taking on extra responsibilities—keeps the relationship grounded in gratitude.
- Focus on the effort, not just the outcome: Show appreciation not only for the results but also for the effort and intention behind the actions. For instance, thanking someone for their effort to communicate or support you, even if the outcome wasn’t perfect, can strengthen your connection.
- Make appreciation a habit: To ensure that expressing appreciation becomes a part of your regular relationship routine, set a reminder to express gratitude daily or weekly. Over time, it will become a natural and essential part of your communication.
Conclusion
Expressing appreciation is a habit that nurtures and strengthens relationships, building a foundation of trust, emotional intimacy, and mutual respect. By regularly showing gratitude for your partner’s efforts, you cultivate a positive environment where both individuals feel valued and supported.
Build this habit
Start building the habit of appreciation with Munay, your intelligent habit companion. Go to Get Munay to download the app or visit Munay App to learn more about it.
Sources
- Adler, M. G., & Fagley, N. S. (2005). Appreciation: Individual differences in finding value and meaning as a unique predictor of subjective well‐being. Journal of personality, 73(1), 79-114. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2004.00305.x
- Algoe, S. B., & Haidt, J. (2009). Witnessing excellence in action: The ‘other-praising’ emotions of elevation, gratitude, and admiration. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4(2), 105-127. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760802650519
- Algoe, S. B., Gable, S. L., & Maisel, N. C. (2010). It’s the little things: Everyday gratitude as a booster shot for romantic relationships. Personal Relationships, 17(2), 217-233. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01273.x
- Algoe, S. B., Haidt, J., & Gable, S. L. (2008). Beyond reciprocity: Gratitude and relationships in everyday life. Emotion, 8(3), 425. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.8.3.425
- Bartlett, M. Y., & DeSteno, D. (2006). Gratitude and prosocial behavior: Helping when it costs you. Psychological Science, 17(4), 319-325. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01705.x
- Bello, R. S., Brandau-Brown, F. E., Zhang, S., & Ragsdale, J. D. (2010). Verbal and nonverbal methods for expressing appreciation in friendships and romantic relationships: A cross-cultural comparison. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 34(3), 294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2010.02.007
- Brown, S. L., Nesse, R. M., Vinokur, A. D., & Smith, D. M. (2003). Providing social support may be more beneficial than receiving it: Results from a prospective study of mortality. Psychological Science, 14(4), 320-327. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.14461
- Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.84.2.377
- Gable, S. L., Gonzaga, G. C., & Strachman, A. (2006). Will you be there for me when things go right? Supportive responses to positive event disclosures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(5), 904. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.91.5.904
- Greenberg, M. S., & Shapiro, S. P. (1971). Indebtedness: An adverse aspect of asking for and receiving help. Sociometry, 290-301. https://doi.org/10.2307/2786418