REALITIES
What Makes a Healthy Relationship?: Discover the 5 Qualities
Dreaming of a healthy relationship is inevitable, especially when you’re together with someone you can’t live without.
But relationships don’t become healthy by magic. You need to build foundations, qualities on which your relationship should be based on.
With this, you might be wondering, what makes a healthy relationship?
Trust
Many say the role of trust in relationships is overrated. And yet, it’s effective. It makes both individuals in the relationship feel safe and secure. These positive emotions lead both parties to have a stronger connection.
But to have trust, you must have knowledge. It’s when you know your partner’s personality and behaviors that you can feel at ease no matter where they are or what they do.
Honesty
This is how it works in the relationship: you’ll find it hard to trust someone who is not telling you the truth.
Honesty and trust are connected. The former builds it, allowing you the freedom to express your thoughts and feelings to your partner without the fear of judgment. It comes from little things like avoiding secrecy.
As you maintain openness towards each other, you also create a space for growth. How so? You and your partner can be yourselves. In other words, you can pursue your passions and goals without shame.
Mutual Respect
Mutual respect is the gateway to support, understanding, and empathy.
There are a lot of things you can do to foster respect towards your partner. Little efforts, such as showing kindness and appreciation, can mean a lot. If you don’t know where to start, try washing the dishes if your partner cooked the food. Or, simply say thank you when they do you a favor.
These actions help to create a meaningful relationship without room for invalidation.
Open Communication
There is no perfect relationship. Mistakes can still occur, and you’ll still feel negative emotions. So, both partners should practice open communication to address their issues.
If you’re arguing with each other, communicate openly. You have different perspectives, and it helps to know where the other is coming from. The heart of communication is acknowledgment.
Speak to each other with empathy and understanding, and you’ll get past your challenges eventually. Failure to put yourself in each other’s shoes can’t solve an argument.
Effort and Collaboration
What makes a healthy relationship better than others? Effort and collaboration between both parties.
As mentioned, healthy relationships are also imperfect relationships. Because of this, you and your partner should work to make each other feel valued, supported, and loved. Effort and collaboration over challenges equal a healthy relationship.
It sounds easy to put these into practice, but reality can be different. Often, only one partner constantly gives while the other only takes. However, effort should be mutual, not one-sided; hence, a collaboration. After all, a relationship consists of two people.
If your partner is making an effort, reciprocate.
These five qualities are what make a healthy relationship. Engrave them as part of your values, beliefs, and habits. Make them a constant practice for your connection to endure.
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