Relationships are an essential part of our lives. A healthy relationship looks like an oasis in the desert whenever we encounter uncertain circumstances. No matter if you’ve found your partner in real life or met them while wandering through popular dating sites, all good relations have something in common. Researches have shown that a healthy relationship potentially decreases the mortality rate. Every relationship is unique, but one thing is clear, there is no road here that has not seen any bumps and pits. The way partners deal with those is what would determine the quality of a relationship.
Researcher Samantha Joel believes that the top five healthy relationship signs and predictors are commitment, sexual satisfaction, conflict resolution, mutual appreciation, and partner satisfaction. According to healthy relationship advice from psychologists, working on these aspects of a relationship should be the fundamental goal of the partners. This article aims to provide the top ten relevant tips to develop a healthy relationship for people who are in a tough phase with their partner or merely seeking a new one.
Effective Communication
Ambiguous communication is detrimental to every relationship, be it romantic, friendly, or any other social connections. Be vocal about your feelings and thoughts. Your verbal and non-verbal gestures should be congruent, calm, and constructive enough to make your point. “You should have known” or “you can’t understand, it’s complicated” statements like these induce tension in a relationship. Don’t make your partner guess what you want. Express it!
From the beginning of the relationship, pay attention to the non-verbal cues and gestures of your partner. Be confident about your knowledge before assuming. If you do that, you will be more responsive to their needs. Attachment theory suggests appropriate responsiveness helps in forming a secure attachment style. Take an interest in your partner, and the partner will become responsive on their own.
The words are forgotten, but the attitude with which they are delivered stays hanging between the two of you. Work on your communication style if you think that is a problem. Don’t hesitate to take help in improving yourself. A positive change will benefit the healthy relationship.
Sometimes silence is the best communication. Active listening and staying silent while doing so make the partner feel his words matter. This can relay a very clear message and create a sense of mutual respect.
Communication can also be misread. If a partner is dealing with depression, stress, or anxiety, there is a possibility of seeing everything from a pessimistic lens. If that is the case, learn to cope with stress first. Make your partner feel confident and together set out on a journey of mutual understanding.
Trust and Fidelity
Trust and fidelity are the two most essential elements of a healthy relationship. Trust is easily lost, but it takes time and effort to rebuild it. Particularly in cases of PTSD where a partner is still recovering from a trust breach from a previous relationship, it becomes more complicated. Keeping promises, making careful decisions, working gradually, consistent participation, and honesty display can help you in forming a healthy relationship. Admit mistakes and be willing to expose yourself to have a reciprocal response from your partner.
Mutual Goals and Rules
Mutual spiritual, emotional, and social goals help to form a healthy relationship. If both partners are aligned in the same dimension, they are less likely to encounter conflicts. Additionally, setting particular healthy relationship rules facilitates forming a healthy foundation, like giving space and privacy or compromising on certain things. But be mindful about being too strict about those rules. Practice kindness and avoid grudges.
Spending Quality Time
Every relationship needs quality time for nourishment. Make a checklist of healthy relationship activities. Take time out of your busy routine and add adventures to your life. A relationship is not only about intimacy. Plan dates, Long drives, movie nights, weekend expeditions, morning walks, combined fitness plans, and much more can be on your to-do list. Several studies suggest that couples who plan fun activities with each other have a successful relationship. Don’t let the boredom of cyclic activities churn your relationship spark.
Realistic Expectations
Keep your expectations realistic. A fantasy sort of relationship with no hurdles and a person with no flaws is not possible. Be humane enough to consider your partner a human. Unrealistic expectations take away the chances of being happy for little achievements in a relationship.
Sexual Satisfaction
Sexual intimacy might not be the only element in a relationship, but it surely is an essential one. Unfortunately, the concept is poorly understood and rarely touched. Sexual satisfaction has a massive impact on the overall quality of a romantic relationship. Practice erotic empathy, says Amanda Luterman, a psychotherapist from Montreal. It is the ability to make your partner feel attractive. Take notes of what your partner likes or dislikes. Refrain from unrealistic expectations. A touch can magically heal souls, but unwanted touch can have a disastrous impact on a relationship.
Constant Reminder of the Positive Side
There is a natural human ability to remember negative events more than positive ones. Make a habit of reminding yourself time and again about the bright side of your relationship. This can have a blooming effect on it. Reminisce your honeymoon period together or your crazy escapades. Laugh at your silly antics. Make memories worth remembering in chaotic times.
Gratitude and Appreciation
Expressing gratitude is very important for the mental well-being of every individual. It can bestow a kind of peace with your own self and your partner. Moreover, develop a healthy relationship habit of appreciating the efforts of your partner. Make sure that no good effort or deed of the partner stays unacknowledged. Say the right words at the right time. This can take your relationship to a spiritual height.
Be Vulnerable When Needed
Vulnerability is often wrongly pictured in the negative frame. According to Psychologist Brené Brown, it is a measure of courage. In reality, vulnerability is the quality of exposing yourself at the right time to the right person. It is the ability to come truthful in front of our partner, and it settles a foundation of trust. As the bond gets secure, it gives confidence to both partners to overcome their problems.
Mental Readiness for Challenges
Even the healthiest relationships face challenges. These challenges make them stronger and unbreakable. Both partners should be mentally ready for every hurdle that might hit their relationship. There can be conflicts on raising children or managing finances. Learn how to resolve conflicts rather than showing your harsh side. Cope with it calmly. Don’t react, respond instead.
Seek a Therapist
There can be a chance that your relationship needs a third-party intervention. Don’t hesitate to reach out for therapy. A relationship counselor can provide a flipped insight into the reality of relationship dynamics.
This was our version of healthy relationship advice. There is no need for you to drag a relationship or give up on a partner. Try these alternatives out and let us know if they were helpful in the comments below. You can also share healthy relationship examples and your suggestions as well.
