Exercise

The Fifteen-Minute Check-In

Once a day, sit down together with no phones. Each person gets five uninterrupted minutes to share how their day genuinely was, including one high point and one low point.

The listener’s only job is to listen and reflect back what they heard, not to problem-solve or defend. Do this for two weeks before judging whether it is working.

Need help applying this to your relationship?

Reading is a start. A guided conversation with a therapist can help you put it into practice.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7: call or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US), free and confidential.