While the saying goes ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’, it’s important to spend quality time with a partner or loved ones often. Platonic or romantic, any relationship thrives on special time together and the key is mutual effort. This means making plans, setting up activities and involving each other in decisions with intention— overall, it means making sure that the other person feels seen, heard and loved. It’s possibly the most underrated but effective way to build a strong base for the best relationships, and a feel-good way to instantly boost your own emotional wellness.

Now that you have a healthy, blossoming relationship, it directly enriches your mood and behaviour as an individual. Putting in effort to maintain the relationship becomes a way to ensure your personal well being and give yourself something to look forward to. Think of the things you love and what relaxes you, and use them to connect and catch up with the people you care about—and thankfully, there are plenty of ways to spruce up your one-on-one time!

You could plan a fun picnic day with a group of friends or a loved one. Set up a blanket, dust off a few boardgames, fill up a basket of everyone’s favourite snacks, and laze around on the grass on a sunny Sunday.  Or perhaps you could go to the museum and silently admire the art and sculptures. Maybe you could just stay in, order take-out from your favourite restaurants and put on a T.V. show to binge watch. If you want to truly relax, create a mini spa experience at home for you and a loved one. Light a blush rose & raspberry candle, spritz your favourite Wrapped In Your Arms mist into the air and throw on a sheet mask—it’s sure to make you both feel uplifted.

All these activities are things you might ordinarily do for your me-time, but when they’re shared with a loved one, it’s joy doubled! They are an opportunity to uplift each other, boost your moods and enhance your relationship. So go on, call a friend, family member or partner and block those calendars—because sometimes our happy place is really the people we love.