Being in a relationship is amazing and beautiful but no one said it was going to be easy and simple. Sometimes a relationship can go through an “emotional roller-coaster” or a “rough patch” or “ups and downs”.
One way to think about a healthy relationship is to picture it as a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time.
All relationships go through hard times but there are things that couples can do to help strengthen and build a healthy relationship. Whether you just entered into a new relationship or have been with your partner for a long time, here are some things you can do to help build a healthy relationship.
1. Have good communication
In any healthy relationship it is important to build a foundation of good communication with your partner. Stay in the present and only talk about the current issue. Make eye contact and stay engaged with your partner by really listening to what they are saying. Share opinions and be comfortable with disagreeing with each other. It takes two to have a conversation and every day is an opportunity to grow your communication skills together.
2. Be respectful
You deserve to be with someone who respects you. A healthy relationship is one where each partner feels safe, valued and cared about. Even in arguments or conflicts, a respectful partner using this as a change to get to know the other person. It’s the little things that you do in a relationship that give your partner insight into your character and heart.
3. You have boundaries
Each partner understands and respects the other partner’s boundaries. Ignoring and breaking those boundaries is one of the best ways to destroy a healthy relationship. It is important to understand yourself, set expectations and respect your partner. Communicate what it is that you want and let your partner know when they are approaching the line.
4. Develop Trust
Trust me, you cannot have a healthy relationship without trust. Say what you mean and mean what you say and then back up those words with your actions. Build trust gradually and don’t expect too much too soon. Grow with each other, be consistent and be honest with your partner. It is one of the hardest things to build and one of the easiest to ruin but once you have it, your relationship will thrive.
5. Love yourself first
Everyone has heard of loving ourselves fist before we can love anyone else. As cliché as this sounds, it is essential to building a healthy relationship. Self-love allows you to be happy and live the life that you want. You deserve to love yourself. Your relationship with yourself will set the tone for any other relationship that you will have.
No two relationships are the same. There is no guide or system to follow exactly in order to have the perfect relationship. We all are individuals that are different in our own way. But by understanding each other and recognizing what we have in common will help your build and maintain a healthy relationship.
