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Everyone has their own definition of love just as each of us has different ways of showing it. There is a popular saying that goes “Love makes you do crazy things”, but what about during a pandemic? We know that relationships take a lot of time and effort, especially in the time of COVID-19. However, it begs us to question how we can give love to others with the constraints the pandemic placed on us.
People tend to show their love through their own love language. Being aware of someone’s love language allows you to meet their needs before they even express them. You are less likely to have miscommunication issues if you know how to reach the other person on their level best. This interaction will allow your relationship to grow on deeper levels even in a pandemic.
There are five different love languages: words of affirmation, acts of service, physical touch, receiving gifts, and quality time. You can take the official quiz here to find out your love language or share it with someone to find out theirs. In order to make our loved ones feel our affection amid the pandemic, here are a few tips on how to do just that based on their love languages:
Words of Affirmation
These are words that communicate your love, appreciation, and respect for another person.
Ways to spread this love: send an unexpected text, tell them you appreciate them frequently, remind them of their personal strengths, compliment them in front of other people, and genuinely encourage them often.
Affirmation from ACTM’s Self-Help Discord channel
Physical Touch
Refers to expressing and receiving affection through touch, physical closeness, and other forms of a physical connection.
Ways to spread this love: give them a hug, hold their hand whenever possible, send them your hoodies, invite them to dance, offer them a virtual hug, let them lay their head on your shoulder.
ACTeaM dancing together
Receiving Gifts
Presents are physical symbols of love that materially express the affection someone has for them.
Ways to spread this love: Deliver their favorite food to their door, purchase a book they always wanted, pick them a wildflower, surprise them with coffee during a busy day, express gratitude when receiving a gift from them.
Gifting ACTM members with a beautiful Christmas music video
Quality Time
It is showing love and affection by spending dedicated time together and focusing on them.
Ways to spread this love: Work out together, listen to music together, host a watch party with them, talk and catch up at the end of the day, start a new hobby together, go on a date.
Playing games together on ACTM’s Discord
Acts of Services
A language that is doing something for another person that you know they would appreciate.
Ways to spread this love: Schedule a video call to catch up, create a playlist dedicated to them, comfort them in times their feeling down, pay attention to the small things they do, win games together, make them their favorite meal, help with something without being asked.
Winning 1st Place together during the ACTM Halloween Program
It’s no secret that relationships, be it romantic, friendships, or family, have been affected due to the pandemic. It is important to consider that not everyone feels loved in the same way and that is okay, the way you love might be different from how your partner, your best friend, or your family member might feel loved.
By understanding the love languages, you learn how you prefer to be loved so you can help guide your loved ones, and know how to better spread love which ultimately leads to strengthened relationships. In times of uncertainty, nothing is more important than feeling loved -- because then you can handle challenges knowing that someone is by your side to support you through it.
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References
Crated with Love. (2021, September 20). The 5 love languages® and what they mean. Crated with Love. Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://cratedwithlove.com/blogs/general/5-love-languages-and-what-they-mean
Nguyen, J. (2021, December 16). Why everyone's talking about love languages these days & how to find yours. mindbodygreen. Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/the-5-love-languages-explained
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