151 introwith everything going on in the life of the average couple its easy to forget the small gestures that keep a relationship ticking what most couples dont realize though is that it doesnt take much to help your partner feel more valued every day stringing together these little things is an ongoing way to make change in your relationship says gail saltz md healths contributing psychology editor the expert tricks here can fit easily into any routinein minutes youll be on your way to building a stronger connection and lasting bond over time 13 healthy reasons to have more sex quicklist 1category quick relationship fixestitle turn off your smartphoneurltextif youre glued to facebook during dinner then its time to unplug a study published in computers in human behavior looked at data from 1160 married people and found a negative correlation between heavy social media use and relationship happiness when angry some people may turn to texting to avoid saying something dr saltz says its a way of creating distance while it doesnt hurt to send a flirty or loving message it does pay off to be more direct with your partner when something is really eating at you quicklist 2category quick relationship fixestitle go to bed at the same timeurltextfeel like you never have a free moment together hitting the sack at the same time will help bedtime might be the only opportunity youre alone together all day says barton goldsmith phd author of the happy couple how to make happiness a habit one little loving thing at a time even if youre a night owl you can always stay in bed until your partner drifts off you should also make sure youre both getting a healthy amount of shuteye a study from the university of california berkeley looked at the sleep habits of more than 100 couples those who reported poor sleep were much more likely to argue with their significant other the next day 6 bad excuses youre using to skip sex quicklist 3category quick relationship fixestitle brew a cup of coffee for your partnerurltextgrand gestures arent the only way to express your love something as simple as brewing your partner a cup of coffee in the morning helps improve your relationship says terri orbuch phd a marriage researcher and author of 5 simple steps to take your marriage from good to great orbuch has studied 373 couples for more than 28 years through the university of michigans survey research center and her research shows that frequent small acts of kindness are a predictor of happiness in a relationship people may feel taken for granted orbuch says by doing these small tasks on a regular basis youll help your partner feel noticed quicklist 4category quick relationship fixestitle bring up a funny moment from your pasturltextsometimes the best memories are the funny ones in motivation and emotion study couples that remembered laughing togetherlike the time a grocery store clerk did something funny in the checkout linereported greater