What Are The Best Trust Building Exercises For Couples?

1. Make eye contact with your partner for a couple of minutes

It may seem like a silly or intimidating activity at first, but the openness of the task will help form an emotional connection with your partner.

Sit on a couch opposite each other and gaze into each other’s eyes for about 3 – 5 minutes.

You may laugh a little, but that’s only going to bring additional fun to the activity. Do this activity often, and you will realize that the bond you feel for your partner has been enhanced. 

2. Allow your partner to go through your phone

For many couples today, trust issues usually stem from social media and technology. Allow your partner to go through your phone to create openness between you and your partner and build trust.

In today’s generation, most people find it difficult to rely on just the words of their partner. Providing an opportunity to look at something tangible, like your smartphone, helps rebuild trust in a relationship.

Think about what you both are most comfortable with involving your phones and social media, and start from there. 

3. Give your partner a small task to complete

You need to be totally sure that you can trust your partner with both small and big things. If your partner has broken your trust in the past and now looking to earn it back, an excellent way to do this is to start small.

As they say, “Rome can’t be built in a day”. Rebuilding trust takes time and effort. Various trust-building exercises give the stones a chance to become mountains.  

For this, you can ask your partner to bring your favorite flavor or brand of ice cream or specific chocolate. Tell your partner to call or text you if the marketers don’t have it in stock.

This is a small activity that will allow your partner to know your expectations and give them a chance to gain your trust back.

To be clear, this activity is not about testing or manipulating your partner. Rather, it’s about laying out your expectations and trusting that your partner will follow up. 

4. Mention the qualities that attract you to each other

Couples in a relationship often take each other for granted, and that’s the biggest mistake they make. They don’t do this intentionally, but it makes partners feel rejected, alone, and less trusting.

Replace this with gratitude by taking it in turns to express to each other why you fell in love with each other. This is one of the most significant trust-building exercises that you can do verbally as well as in writing.

Make sure to choose a mode you both are comfortable with. 

5. Say “I love you”

After you have had a serious conversation with your partner, it’s always advantageous to tell them that you love them and that you are important to them.

It demonstrates that the conversation was a positive one, and it has changed nothing between you. Understand that these conversations are a little draining and that your partner may be craving your little affection. 

6. Accept when you make a mistake

No one is perfect. If you have made a mistake and you are guilty about it, communicate with your partner with clarity, and ask for forgiveness.

Don’t feel nervous; just remember the fact that secrets can destroy trust, and opening up creates trust. 

7. Be honest with each other

You may have heard a proverb, “Honesty is the best policy” – this goes with maintaining relationships also. Have faith in your partner and be honest. Trust can only be built when it’s given.

Give your partner the benefit of doubt and reply to any questions they have honestly. Once you have laid the foundation of honesty, trust is likely to follow because it can demonstrate to your partner you have no intention of misleading them.

8. Make talking a priority

Talking may appear to be an everyday thing rather than a trust-building exercise, but it can significantly help build trust in a relationship.

Take about 10 – 15 minutes each night to sit down and ask how each other’s day has gone. It denoted that you both have love and care for each other, and in turn, builds trust. 

9. Take turns planning date nights

Giving up control is an important element to show that you trust your partner. If you are used to planning your date nights, give your partner an opportunity to plan the next one.

Be completely hands-off and let them surprise you. It’s essential to give your partner enough space to show how reliable they can be. 

10. Try new couples activities together

Trying new things that take you out of your comfort zones can be an excellent way to build trust. You can try acro yoga with your partner, learn a new sport or musical instrument, etc.

While doing this trust exercise, make sure you keep communicating. Discuss what feels right and what doesn’t – it will help you build emotional intimacy and connection. 

Conclusion

Trust-building exercises are essential to maintain a long-term relationship. Even if you have gone through a betrayal, these activities can help you regain trust. 

If you think that doing these trust exercises is not your cup of tea, you can simply ask your partner, “What can I do to regain trust.” 

Where there’s a will, there’s away. If you are willing to spend some time and effort, you can surely improve your relationship. 

If you find that nothing is helping rebuild trust in your relationship, consult a couples counselor. Couples’ counseling may feel like a big step. It involves admitting that things aren’t good in your relationship, and that is usually difficult and scary to accept.

Kindly consult a couples counselor if your trust has been broken, arguments are getting more frequent, communication is lacking, physical intimacy is a problem, and other similar reasons.