Trust exercises to try with your partner
Trust is an important part of the foundation of every healthy relationship. Since healthy relationships are a two-person job, it’s important that both partners are consistent—partners must keep their word and promises in order to improve trust. Trust exercises can be a fun way to build trust, practice honesty and communication, and bond with your partner.
Please note: These exercises are intended to provide fun and safe prompts for healthy partners to deepen their communication with one another. If, when trying out these prompts, you notice your partner is using any of the information you share to shame you, or responds to you in ways that are disrespectful, aggressive or emotionally unsafe, we encourage you to reach back out to love is respect.
In a healthy relationship, communication is safe 100% of the time. If you are experiencing abuse in your relationship, please talk to a love is respect advocate before trying out any of these exercises.
Try these exercises to build trust with your partner:
When you have the urge to check in, give your partner space and privacy instead.
Give your partner opportunities to be trusted.
Have your partner tell you when they are going out, and do not write/call/check in.
Work up to your partner being able to go out without telling you where they’re going or who they’re with.
Take turns exchanging secrets and facts about each other. Remember, you should never feel pressured or forced to share any information you’re uncomfortable with, or force your partner to do the same.
Stare into each other’s eyes for at least 30 seconds, and try to get to 3 minutes.
Talk to your partner about each other’s physical boundaries, then cuddle and touch each other uninterrupted for 20 minutes, respecting the boundaries you have just set. Afterwards, talk about how it felt and address any issues or concerns.
Talk for 5 minutes about anything while the other partner stays quiet (but you can use gestures and expressions!). After your time is up, discuss, then switch.
Blindfold your partner and guide them through an obstacle course.
Play games with your partner online or in person.
Look up couple challenges online/on YouTube to try out.
Play 2 Truths and A Lie: You come up with 2 truths and 1 lie, your partner guesses which is which, and you tell them the full truth.
Again, partners never have to share anything they aren’t comfortable sharing.
Ask questions to learn about your partner.
Tell each other why you love each other.
Recall happy moments you had together.
Share personal songs with your partner or make them a playlist. These can be songs about your feelings for your partner, about you that resonate with your life story or identity, or anything else you want to include.
Swap books with your partner.
Face each other, put your foreheads together, and breathe together 20+ times.
Try couples worksheets about your partner’s qualities, shared qualities, conflict resolution, and growth.
Practice filling in the blanks/completing each other’s sentences.
Have a weekly 30-minute meeting to cover appreciation, chores, plans for good times, and problems/challenges.
Need more support?
Reach out to our advocates!
Please keep in mind that advocates are different from counselors and have a focus on education and safety rather than on treating any emotional, mental, or behavioral issues. We also can’t give advice or tell people what to do because we respect your right to make choices that work best for you!
