How to Show Affection to Someone Who Needs It
To show affection to someone who needs it, offer them a hug if you think they'd be comfortable with it, since physical contact often makes people feel better. If it's your partner, you can also kiss them, cuddle, or hold their hand to show your support. Another great way to show affection is to buy someone a small gift, like chocolates, flowers, or a bottle of wine. You can also invite them to spend time with you, to watch a movie, go for walk, or have a quiet coffee together, which shows them that you value their company. If they're a busy person, offer to do something for them, like cook them a meal, pick up their kids, or run an errand for them, which should ease some of their stress.
Reach out and touch your partner often. Kissing your partner is among clearest signs of affection. You also want to include more subtle physical contact, too ― especially in public places. Holding hands and giving hugs are a less restricted in public than kissing your partner. If your partner has had a particularly stressful day and needs extra affection, offering her a back massage can be a great way to show your love, too. Even small gestures like sitting close to your partner while watching TV can let her know that you care. Use kind words to connect with your partner. Communication is extremely important to a healthy relationship. Show your partner affection by complimenting the things that he does well, and telling him how much you care about him. It also never hurts to slip him a note or send a text just to show that you are thinking about him even when he isn't there. This could be as simple as telling your partner that you missed him as soon as he comes home from a trip. If your partner is struggling with something in his personal life or at work, these kind words will let him know that you support him. Give your partner a gift. This can be during a holiday, but doesn't have to be. If your partner needs a pick-me-up, you can give her a gift whenever you want! Make sure that your gift is thoughtful and really tailored to your partner. Even a generic item, such as a CD that your partner really wants, could be spiced up with a letter or picture to make it more personal. Making your partner a gift will show that you know them well enough to choose a great gift. The time you spent crafting it will also show your dedication. Spend quality time with your partner. This means putting away cell phones and other distractions and giving your partner all of your attention for a while. Be sure to make regular dates with your partner, but if you notice that he is going through something difficult (e.g. transitioning to a new neighborhood after a recent move) then you should amp this up even more. Simply giving them your time and energy is a great way to show affection. It will also help make your bond stronger. A date night can certainly be out in town, but if your partner needs a quiet evening, you can always stay in and watch a movie together. Make your interactions meaningful. In the high speed world of text and email, we are “connected” all the time. The problem is that we often forget to make these types of connections personal. When your partner is in need of true personal connection, you should be aware of it and make sure you're providing that connection. Instead of sending abbreviated texts like “omw,” you could say something like “I'm excited to see you. I'll be there soon.” While this is saying essentially the same thing, the first is very dry and impersonal, but the second shows that you actually care that your are on your way to see this person. Thank your partner when she does something thoughtful, or for the everyday things she does that she may think go unnoticed (like taking out the trash). Tailor your compliment to your partner to make them more meaningful. Instead of saying "You're beautiful," try "You have the most amazing smile." Call attention to the specific things that make your partner who they are. Try, "You always have such an interesting take on things. I love talking with you." Do a chore for your partner. We all have a chore or two that we like to do. Aside from that, the rest are just chores that need done. When you're stressed out about something like whether or not you are getting that big promotion, doing these chores can sometimes be daunting. Helping your partner wrap up a few chores so that he can go on with his day is a great way to show that you care. This could be as small as doing the dishes, or you could help him paint the house. If you're not sure what to do, ask! Say: "Is there something that I can help you with?" or "Is there something I could do to make life easier for you?" Offer affectionate contact. All families are different, and they will show affection in different ways. Some parents expect a hug from their children, while others are more comfortable with a handshake. Friendships also have a wide range of expression, but no matter what the gesture, it will show a family member or friend that you are there for them. Children may seek and require more contact. Hold their hand while crossing the street or pick them up when they're too tired to walk to let them know you're there. For adult family and friends, place your hand on their shoulder or squeeze their hand to let them know that you're there for them and that you're concerned. Tell your loved ones how you feel. People often forget the importance of openness as they age. Many times family members will stop telling each other that they care, and this can create a distance between them. Be open and honest with your family and friends, especially when they are struggling. For example, you might wrap your best friend in a long heartfelt hug before he moves out of town for a new job. Children need feedback. Tell them you love them and care about them no matter what. Don't be affectionate only when they do something good or get hurt. This will lead them to think that those are the only times you care. Give gifts freely. This doesn't mean that you have to spend all of your money or time delivering gifts to friends and family members. Just be sure that when you do give a gift, it is a gift that your family member will like. It could be as simple as picking up the tab for lunch, or buying your kid's first car. Don't underestimate the gift of time. Time is precious, especially when life gets busy, but they'll appreciate the effort if you see them in their moment of need. Help friends and family members in need. Whether you help your mom clean up her house or help your best friend move cities, it will be appreciated. Big or small chores can add up and overwhelm anyone, and helping a loved one get on top of things is a clear sign of affection. For example, something as simple as dropping by to cook her dinner after she's had a baby can make a lasting impact. The key here is to be thoughtful and considerate. Vacuuming the house may seem simple, but someone who's swamped with other work would really appreciate it! Learn about the five love languages. This is a concept that is often used to discuss the different ways that different people give and receive affection. Affectionate acts are grouped into five categories, or languages, as follows: physical touch, words of affirmation, receiving gifts, acts of service, and quality time. You should use these “languages” to understand how those you care about give and receive affection. Your partner may speak a different love language than you do. Talk to them to learn what sort of affection they need. Try a test or quiz to learn what love language works best for both of you. Make sure that they're legit and understand that the results won't always fit everyone. When speaking to your partner, be sure to actively listen. This will prove to them that you really do care. Know what kind of relationship you have with the person you care about. When it comes to significant others, and even most family members, you usually know what level your relationship is on. Friends can be more complicated sometimes. Long time friends are often shown affection as if they are part of the family, while newer or less known friends might be uncomfortable with that. Apply the same five principles to friends and colleagues, but adjust the actions to be appropriate. For example, if a coworker thrives off of positive words, say something like, “I like your new haircut,” instead of “Your legs look nice in that dress.” Do not force affection. Any time a person seems to be uncomfortable with your affection you should stop. She may give you an explanation as to why your affection is making her uncomfortable, but she does not have to. It is up to each individual person to decide from whom they do or do not accept affection. Also, keep in mind that even if your partner thrives off of a certain type of affection (such as hugging), they may not always want it. 
Reach out and touch your partner often. Use kind words to connect with your partner. Give your partner a gift. Spend quality time with your partner. Make your interactions meaningful. Do a chore for your partner. Offer affectionate contact. Tell your loved ones how you feel. Give gifts freely. Help friends and family members in need. Learn about the five love languages. Know what kind of relationship you have with the person you care about. Do not force affection. 