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Introducing the seven new love languages -

The seven new love languages are: activity, appreciation, emotional, financial, intellectual, physical, and practical.

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Introducing the seven new love languages -

Each of these so-called 'languages’ describes a way in which it is possible to receive and feel love in a relationship.

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Introducing the seven new love languages -

Understanding and speaking your partner’s love language (they may even speak a combination of more than one) can help strengthen your relationship.

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Activity -

The first love language on the list is activity. If this is your love language, you feel most loved and valued when spending time doing activities with your partner.

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Activity -

You may also feel particularly appreciated when your partner pays close attention to your hobbies and the things you enjoy doing in your free time.

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Activity -

This language is similar to Chapman’s original "quality time" language, but it is more nuanced in the sense that it highlights one partner’s appreciation of the other as an individual.

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Appreciation -

Next on the list is appreciation. People who speak this language tend to feel most loved and seen when their partner acknowledges and compliments them.

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Appreciation -

They feel acknowledged when their partner thanks them for their particular effort in the relationship, or congratulates them on their personal victories.

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Appreciation -

But don’t be fooled: this language is not about flattery. Rather it is about genuine appreciation that makes the person feel valued and seen.

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Emotional -

If you find that you are driven to have a deep emotional connection with your partner above all else, your love language is probably emotional.

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Emotional -

People who speak this language tend to enjoy long conversations with their partner, and they really rely on them for support during tough times.

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Emotional -

If your partner speaks the emotional love language, it is important that you are really present during difficult conversations and you actively listen.

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Financial -

Next up is financial. If you feel loved and appreciated when your partner spends money on you, your love language is probably financial.

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Financial -

This is not about receiving particular gifts, however. Rather, it is about the fact that your partner is willing to spend their financial resources on you in the first place.

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Financial -

This one is similar to the "gift giving" language in the original model, although that is more about thoughtful gifts, and this is more about the investment of resources in a partner.

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Intellectual -

After financial comes intellectual. People who speak this love language value their ability to connect with their partner on a rational level above all else.

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Intellectual -

They tend to engage with their partner on a range of different topics, and while they might disagree with their partner at times, they are always respectful of their opinion.

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Intellectual -

People whose love language is intellectual may identify as sapiosexual, meaning they find themselves sexually attracted to people based on their intelligence.

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Physical -

Next on the list is physical. If you feel most loved by your partner when you are in close physical contact with them, this is probably your language.

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Physical -

There are many different ways to express love to someone who speaks this language, and ultimately it is about being in close physical proximity to them.

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Physical -

It is also important to people who speak the physical language that they are not the only one initiating contact all the time; their partner should show desire and initiative sometimes too.

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Practical -

Last but not least is practical. This is your language if you feel most loved when your partner helps you out in practical ways, such as doing household chores.

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Practical -

In order for communication in this language to be effective, one partner needs to help out the other without being asked. It is about making the mental load lighter.

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Practical -

This language is similar to the "acts of service" language in the original model, but without the heteronormative element of husbands helping out their wives.

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Why the love languages are important -

Learning to speak your partner’s love language is important; partners who make an effort to do so report having stronger and healthier relationships.

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Why the love languages are important -

On the flipside, partners who do not know each other’s love language often end up feeling frustrated and underappreciated in the relationship.

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Recognize your own love language -

So, take some time to work out what your own love language is and communicate it to your partner.

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Learn to speak your partner's -

Ask your partner to do the same; help them by asking whether there has been anything you’ve done that made them feel particularly appreciated and valued.

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Things to bear in mind -

Bear in mind that your partner’s love language may be very different from yours. For example, if you don’t care in the slightest whether your partner spends money on you, you may find it difficult to understand why they do.

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Things to bear in mind -

Nonetheless, it is important to try and incorporate both yours and your partner’s love language into the relationship, if you are both to feel satisfied and happy in the relationship.

Sources: (WikiHow)

See also: Bids—the science-backed secret to long-lasting relationships

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