Experts Reveal 6 Seemingly Small Things That Have A Big Impact On Your Marriage

From butterfly wings to hurricanes, ripples to waves, the little things can have a massive impact as they resonate higher and higher.

Maintaining a long-term relationship requires conscious effort from both partners. When you both pay attention to the little details of love and companionship, it can take a stable and healthy relationship and elevate it to the type of relationship that becomes a beacon to light the way for other couples who might be struggling.

If your relationship needs a tune-up, these expert tips might help keep your relationship from going stale. If your relationship is already top-notch, these tips might help blast you out of orbit and leave your friends and family craning their necks to see how they can achieve the same relational success.

Here, Yourtango experts reveal six seemingly small things that have a big impact on your marriage:

1. Being alone together

This might seem like a small thing, but the ability to be alone together is key to a successful relationship. We all need alone time, and being together and not being engaged but still having a connection shows strength and maturity in a relationship.

— Merle Yost, LMFT, Author

2. Acknowledging each other with gratitude

In the intricate dance of marriage, the little actions can have the most significant impact. One of those small yet profound things is the art of appreciation. It may seem simple, but its effects ripple through a marriage, weaving a tapestry of love and connection.

Appreciation means regularly expressing gratitude and acknowledgment for your partner's efforts, qualities, and presence in your life. It's about recognizing and valuing the little things they do, the quirks that make them unique, and the love they bring into your world.

When someone feels their efforts are recognized and valued, they're motivated to keep investing in the relationship. This can lead to a positive cycle of striving to make each other happy.

— Clare Waismann, M-RAS/ SUDCC II Waismann Method Rapid Detox Founder

3. Appreciating the little things

Make sure to say appreciative things to one another, even for the small stuff (e.g., Thanks for getting the groceries"). As a couples therapist, I can attest to the power of creating a marital culture of appreciation.

— Laurie Mintz, Psychologist and Author of Becoming Cliterate and a Tired Woman's Guide to Passionate Sex

4. Taking the space for quality time

Quality time. Lives are so busy that couples struggle to keep up with all their duties and forget to carve out time to talk and create positive memories together. That can lead to a stale, lonely, less intimate marriage.

— Gloria Brame, Ph.D. Sex therapist, sexologist, author

5. Setting the tone with a warm welcome home

Smile and set a friendly tone. Establishing a calm mood and purposely positive environment almost guarantees to elicit the same from your partner - thus creating a loop of love and joy bouncing back and forth between the two of you.

Reunions are a great moment to put this into practice daily. Greet your partner with kindness, love, and a sincerely happy hello. This seemingly small investment creates big returns.

— Eva Van Prooyen, Marriage & Family Therapist and Relationship Specialist

6. Paying attention to everyday courtesy

It may seem small, but the person who consistently says "Please" and "Thank you" is likely kind and thoughtful in other ways. Everyday courtesy influences the giver and receiver and is rarely packaged with the hurtful opposites of contempt and criticism.

— Reta Faye Walker, Ph.D.