If there’s one thing Americans know about its hard work. According to Statista, the average American works 37 hours a week. However, 71% of Americans work overtime at least once weekly, with 19% working overtime EVERY day, as Spiceworks explains. With so much time being dedicated to working and household responsibilities, it can be difficult to find time for other things–especially intimate relationships. If you feel as though we’re describing you, perhaps it’s time to work on that work-relationship balance. In this blog, we’ll discuss the top 8 tips for striking a perfect balance between your work and relationship.

#1  Dream Together

Rather than getting caught up in the present, experts suggest sitting down and creating a bucket list with your partner. By making a list of your dreams and goals together, you’ll begin to feel as though you’re working towards something as one while enjoying the excitement of having things to look forward to.

#2  Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

We all find ourselves stretched too thin from time to time. Rather than feeling defeated, why not ask your partner to help you out? Whether it’s grocery shopping or folding laundry, a loving partner would be much happier to lessen your burden than to see you feel helpless in times of immense stress.

#3  Prioritize Active Listening

If there’s one thing that’s certain to damage a relationship, it’s poor communication. So, when your time is limited, it’s essential to be present and practice active listening. While it might be tempting to check your phone, read, or watch tv, by giving your partner your full, undivided attention, they’ll feel heard and recognize their importance in your life, according to Centerstone.

#4  Set Healthy Boundaries

The only way to strike a balance between work and romance is by setting healthy boundaries. First, talk with your partner about the boundaries you require, whether it be an extra hour of sleep or understanding when you must stay late for a work meeting. From there, you can begin setting healthy boundaries together, such as no phones at dinner or in bed.

#5  Have Regular Date Nights

Date nights are vital to any relationship, especially those in which one or both parties work full-time. Whether it’s one night a week or per month, set a day that both you and your partner know is a designated date night so you can organize your other needs and responsibilities accordingly. In turn, no matter how busy your schedule is, you’ll have something to look forward to; guaranteed time with your significant other.

#6  Have Emotional Check-Ins

When work and other responsibilities are making life hectic, the days tend to go by quickly. Instead of allowing too much time to pass by without checking in on your partner. Emotional check-ins entail asking your partner how they feel and whether or not they feel supported by you. No matter what, this will allow both Work and Romance of you to discuss what could be done to help one another feel connected.

#7  Slide into Their DMs

Even when we’re at our busiest, it’s never impossible to shoot out a quick text. So, consider seizing little moments throughout the day to send your partner a message that lets them know they’re on your mind. While it seems like a fairly insignificant gesture, it’s the little things that count in the long run.

#8  Love. Love. Love.

This is going to sound like an easy one, but hear us out. All too often our relationships lack perhaps the most important factor: love. Above all else, you must make sure you are loving your partner. This can be done in several simple ways, including a quick compliment, leaving a surprise note, or setting aside a few minutes for intimacy. Believe it or not, it’s quite possible to express love regularly, even when your schedules conflict, according to PsychCentral.