How To Make Him Jealous

Smart, fun, and harmless ways to make the love of your life super protective of you.

Reviewed by Darrell Reese, MS, LMFT-A Darrell Reese Darrell ReeseMS, LMFT-A insta_icon
Written by Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach Sneha Tete Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Edited by Shatabdi Bhattacharya, BSc Shatabdi Bhattacharya BSc linkedin_icon Experience: 2.5 years
Fact-checked by Gazala Firdos Ansari, Integrated MA (English) Gazala Firdos Ansari Integrated MA (English) linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Last Updated on

Making your partner jealous is one of the oldest yet classic ways to get him closer. So, a little bit of harmless jealousy may not be a bad idea if you wish to take your relationship to the next level. But, how to make him jealous? We can help you with ideas. However, you should be extra careful as they can also backfire. Understanding jealousy can help you handle your relationship better but remember that while it can spark interest, it is also important to be mindful of how your partner feels.

You may reach a point in life where you feel distant from your boyfriend or husband. It could be due to several reasons, including work stress. He may spend more time with his friends and games, and you miss the old, charming person you fell in love with.

This is when making him jealous works as it may ignite his possessiveness and sense of competition. It may help you regain the lost connection and intimacy. But, will it cause issues in the relationship? Well, it can also have undesirable results if you do not tread carefully. So, your plans should not cross the limits.

This article will help you with ways to make your man jealous without affecting the bond that you both share. Keep reading.

How To Make Your Man Jealous And Make Him Want You More

If you are trying to understand how to keep a guy interested in the long run, creating situations where he feels a tinge of jealousy can sometimes highlight the depth of his feelings and help you navigate your relationship dynamics. Read about some effective strategies here.

1. Change Your Look

Go out and buy a sexy outfit or get a new hairdo. Put on makeup and strut out in your high heels. Do not tell your man where you are going or who you are meeting. He will definitely be intrigued and follow up with questions. Try to evade his questions or simply smile instead of giving any answer.

2. Talk About How Funny A Male Friend Or Colleague Is

For most men, this is a touchy issue. They want to be the only guy who can make their girl laugh. Tell him how funny your colleague is or how much you enjoy the company of your friend. Laugh at the jokes his friends make, and his attention will be back on you.

3. Become Active On Social Media

Flood your social media feed with lots of pictures of you and your friends. Go out with them and have fun, but do not inform your boyfriend about your plans. Let him see what you are doing through your pictures. He will feel left out and shower lots of attention on you. He may also start making plans for just the two of you. Be ready for this change and give him lots of love when he comes back.

4. Do Not Return His Every Call And Text

A healthy relationship is balanced. If you feel like you are the only one doing all the lifting and leaving everything aside to be with him, try to make a few changes. Do not answer all his calls and texts immediately. Take some time, and you will leave him wondering what is keeping you busy. Soon he will start missing your love and attention and make more of an effort.

5. Make Plans With Your Girl Friends

Girls enjoying a girls night out without their men to make them jealous
Image: Shutterstock

If your man is not giving you enough time, make plans with your girlfriends. Go out with them or hang out at their place. It will make him realize that you have other things to do in life, and your time is not exclusive to him. Send him your pictures to show that you are out and about. Soon, he will be yearning for your time.

6. Talk About Your Ex

Do it only if you are comfortable talking about your ex-boyfriend. At times, men become complacent in a long-term relationship. They start believing that you are not going anywhere and may not give you the attention they used to. You can talk about your ex to evoke envy in your man. However, avoid saying that you miss him or the way he used to look after you. It could backfire and worsen the situation. Just mention him nonchalantly in a conversation and watch him desire you again.

7. Talk About Your Male Childhood Friend

To catch his attention, start telling him about your male childhood friend. Tell him how you two were inseparable and used to goof around. Tell him how you wonder where he is right now or if you should try and track him down on social media. This will bring you back on your partner’s radar and he’ll start longing for your attention.

8. Tell Him That Someone Asked You Out

Hey, no one is stopping you from fibbing a little. Tell him that someone has asked you out. There is nothing wrong with a little harmless lie when all you want is his love. You can tell him that you denied the proposal but liked the attention. Your words will make him feel territorial and covetous about you, and he will be back in your arms. Enjoy rekindled love and attention!

9. Compliment His Male Friend

Ask your husband how his friend is doing and sing his praises to make your man jealous and boost his competitiveness.

He will wonder what is making you see the goodness in his friend and not him. He will want to show you that he is better, if not worse. Get ready to see a few changes in his behavior in the next couple of days.

10. Do Not Ask For His Help

Are you used to your man helping you with all the heavy lifting around the house, changing light bulbs, or washing the car? Learn to do these chores yourself, or even better, get someone else to do it. Let him know that you got it done without his help. He will feel the insecurity that you do not need him anymore for his designated tasks. As a result, he will start putting more effort into the chores and you.

11. Make Solo Plans

If possible, plan a solo trip. If not, go to a spa or on a drive all by yourself. On seeing that you do not need his company for all your plans, he will miss the feeling of being wanted. He will also feel jealous and yearn to be a part of your outings once again. When he starts making plans to be with you, do not shut him out. Tell him how much you have missed it and would like nothing more than doing things with him.

Make him jealous by texting someone while he is talking to you
Image: Shutterstock

12. Text Someone While He Is Talking

You can do this by not concentrating on what he is saying when the two of you are in the middle of a conversation. Obviously, he will want your attention, and seeing you text someone else will make him jealous. Next time, he may put your phone away to show that he cares and wants your undivided attention.

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You may also ask a friend to give you a fake call so you can attend it and pretend to be super engrossed in the conversation until your partner notices and starts giving you attention.

13. Start A Hobby

If you want a productive way to get his attention, start dedicating time to a hobby. It could be anything, like writing, painting, music, or a sport. As he sees you devoting time to something other than him, he will want you more. All you need is to show him that you can keep yourself busy even if he is not giving you time.

14. Be Extra Sweet To Him

But only when you are together. Go out of your way to make him comfortable and pamper him. However, stop it as soon as you are away from your boyfriend. Ignore his calls and texts, and he will be on his toes to meet you again. Repeat it a couple of times, and his attention will be back on you.

15. Pamper Yourself

Normally, men like to pamper their girlfriends or wives. They want to be able to provide them with the best. This time, get something for yourself instead of asking him. Tell him how you had been eyeing it for a long time and were saving up. He will want to tell you that he is still around and can buy things for you. Tell him that you felt he has been busy, and you did it to pamper yourself.

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To pamper yourself, you can also watch a movie alone at the theater, take some salon services, or even bake a cake for yourself. But do share the cake with your partner once he begins to feel jealous.

16. Be Mysterious

As a woman, you have the power to be mysterious and keep secrets. Try to act mysterious around your man and give him the impression that you are sneaking around. He will get jealous and want to know what is going on. Wait for some time to tell him that you were messing with him to get his attention.

17. Go Crazy For Celebrities

We have all had that one celebrity crush that we wished to marry. Talk about yours and tell your husband how madly you were in love with him. Joke around that you still think there is a possibility that you may end up with your celebrity crush.

18. Post A Picture With A Guy Friend

You can use social media to your advantage in this situation. Post a picture with a guy friend and write how much you miss him. You can also put up a nostalgic post remembering the good times you had with your friend and how much you miss him. Your boyfriend will come running to you and ask why you are missing your friend now after all these years.

19. Attract Attention At A Party

Man gets jealous as his partner attracts attention at a party
Image: Shutterstock

Become the center of attention at a party by wearing a sexy outfit. Charm your boyfriend’s friends with your smile and indulge in some harmless flirting. As his friends compliment you and tell him how lucky he is to have you, he will get jealous. He will wrap his arms around you to indicate that you are his partner.

20. Ignore His Advances

While you are trying to ignore his advances, he may try to flirt with other girls. As he does so, ignore him and do not let it affect you. He will get all the more bothered wondering why his trick is not working. However, do not ignore him so much that he starts feeling like your feelings toward him have changed.

Now, let us look at how to keep your guy interested in the future.

Key Takeaways

  • Reasons like work stress can make your partner lose interest in you.
  • Making him jealous may help you regain the lost connection and intimacy.
  • However, do not overdo it as it may ruin your relationship.

Make Him Jealous But Avoid Overdoing It

In the end, know that walking down this road can be risky. Darrell Reese, a licensed family and marriage therapist, warns against using these tactics to make your partner jealous. He says, “ In most relationships, talking about your ex is a terrible idea. Many men will feel anger, not jealousy per se, when their significant other is talking about another man that they have had a relationship with.” Indulging in this too much can make your partner lose faith in you and become upset and resentful, which could drive a wedge between you two. It may even cause the connection to experience needless drama and tension. This is because it is basically a sort of manipulation that can be emotionally exhausting. Therefore, pick your moments and know when to pacify your man when matters get out of hand. You do not want to breed resentment, grudge, and bitterness and make a mistake so grave that it ruins your relationship. Have an honest conversation and let him know why you have been acting this way.

Here are a few more things that you can do to keep him interesting and reignite the spark in your relationship.

Ways To Keep Your Guy Interested In The Future

Now that he is back, you may want to make sure that you do not end up in a similar situation once again. Or else, you will have to go through the mental agony of wanting his attention once again. Before he falls into his old habits, you may want to take proactive steps and change a few things in your relationship to keep the spark alive. Here are some things you can do:

1. Invest In Sexy Clothes

If you have the budget, step out and buy some hot new outfits. It will be enough to keep your husband wanting you more. If you cannot splurge, bring out the old dresses from your closet. Dress up for no reason, and his eyes and heart will be on you.

Shera, a married blogger, shared her experience of how she keeps her husband interested. She writes, “ Dress cute, dress nice, dress like you have somewhere to go and somewhere to be (i).” She adds that you should pay attention to your appearance, dressing, and grooming.

Wear sexy clothes to make your husband interested
Image: Shutterstock

2. Do More Things Together

You have probably segregated your chores in the house. However, doing them together can be more fun. As he does the dishes and you clean the kitchen, both of you can indulge in hearty conversations. It is all about stealing moments in your busy lives to spend time together. Such small moments are enough to bring your relationship back on track.

3. Flirt More

As the relationship gets older and your responsibilities grow, couples often start taking each other for granted. However, everyone wants to feel loved and wanted. Moreover, it is not fair to expect your husband to take the first steps all the time. Flirt with your husband, send him naughty texts, and be more playful when you are around him. This will bring his attention back to you.

4. Plan A Trip Together

A couple on their way to a trip pose at the airport with their luggage
Image: Shutterstock

Nothing works as magically as a trip in bringing two people closer. It allows a couple to indulge in new experiences and discover more about each other. It becomes all the more necessary when you have been together for a few years. Travel can reignite your bond and bring your closer once again.

5. Do Not Forget To Tell Him That You Love Him

You may have said it millions of times to your husband, but after you have spent years together, you may forget to tell it to him on a regular basis. It may be time to remind him that you love him and need his presence in your life. He will get the hint and be back in your arms.

6. Foster Open Communication

Talk to your husband regularly about your needs and feelings in the relationship. This will help keep you both aligned and avoid any misunderstandings. Instead of getting upset due to the lack of attention, you may want to share with your partner how you have been feeling lately. This happens quite often with men, where they are completely oblivious to your personal struggle, so go ahead and express your concern in words that can be easily understood.

Infographic: 5 Fun Ways To Make Your Boyfriend Jealous

It is important to stir up your relationship from time to time to rekindle the old flame. If you have noticed your man becoming distant or in want of more personal time, you are not alone. Rather than letting your relationship take the blow, try a few simple yet effective ways to make him jealous and get his attention back. Check out this infographic to know more.

5 fun ways to make your boyfriend jealous (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Making your boyfriend jealous can be one of the easiest ways to make him shower more love and attention on you. If your boyfriend feels that there is some mystery around you, he will surely invest more energy and time to find out. For instance, changing your look, becoming more active on social media, or developing a new hobby will make him want to know the reason behind them. Similarly, it will make him jealous if you post a picture with a guy friend, compliment his male friend, or talk about your ex. However, be cautious about not overdoing it, as you may push them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know when a guy gets jealous?

A guy may act differently when he gets jealous. Asking more questions than usual about your whereabouts, frequently checking up on you, displaying controlling behavior, acting either too nice or too cold, and expressing more affection than usual may be some signs that he is jealous.

Do guys try to make a girl jealous?

While it’s not very commonplace, some guys may try to make a girl jealous if they feel insecure about their place in her life. It may take the form of triangulation which can be a manipulative tactic and a form of emotional abuse.

How can jealousy affect trust in a relationship?

Jealousy can trigger negative behaviors such as suspicion, intrusive thoughts, and insecurities, which can be detrimental to a relationship’s health. Remember, the very foundation of a relationship is based on trust and if that does not exist, it can negatively impact the relationship.

How can open communication help alleviate jealousy in a relationship?

Open and honest communication allows both partners the time for self-introspection, identify problematic areas, and help establish certain boundaries in a relationship. This can help both partners overcome their jealousy and build a strong and healthy relationship.

Is it advisable to seek professional help or counseling for dealing with jealousy issues?

Yes, one can seek professional help to deal with jealousy issues. It can help manage your emotions better, address insecurities, increase awareness about your partner, and strengthen your relationship.

How can focusing on self-improvement positively impact a relationship instead of trying to make someone jealous?

Focusing on your hobbies and goals can give you time for personal reflection and help you discover your abilities and talents. It can allow the two of you to mature emotionally, come up with solutions together, and help avoid situations that lead to accusations and negative self-talk. It can also help promote healthy communication and help you grow individually and as a couple.

Can excessive jealousy damage a relationship?

Yes, excessive jealousy can contribute to resentment and trust issues. It is thus important to tackle the underlying insecurities and adhere to open communication to avoid putting strain on the relationship.

Illustration: How To Make Him Jealous

How To Make Him Jealous

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Get ready to make him regret ever messing with you! Watch this video to learn 5 evil ways to make a guy jealous and drive him crazy!

Personal Experience: Source

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Darrell Reese
Darrell ReeseMS, LMFT-A
Darrell Reese is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate with 20 years of experience. He helps couples rekindle their love and create a loving and happy relationship through Darrell Reese Counseling. He employs various modalities for these sessions, including Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Collaborative Language Systems, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and The Gottman Method, to help deal with issues that arise within relationships.

Read full bio of Darrell Reese
Sneha Tete
Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sneha has a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, a professional Relationship Coach diploma, and over four years of experience in writing. She writes about relationships and lifestyle.Sneha began her career as an instructional designer, shifted to freelance technical and research writing, and self-published a novella on the theme of adolescent mental health.

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Shatabdi Bhattacharya
Shatabdi BhattacharyaAssociate Editor
Shatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn.

Read full bio of Shatabdi Bhattacharya
Gazala Firdos Ansari
Gazala Firdos AnsariBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Gazala Ansari is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. She writes on relationships, makeup, and lifestyle and has bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature from the Central University of Jharkhand.

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