Table of Contents
You all know that healthy relationships bring love and happiness into your life. However, learning more tips to have a healthy relationship would only do you good, right?
So here’s my special relationship advice – treat your relationships like investments!
No, of course you do not treat your relationship in terms of money, but value it as a priceless possession that only grows better with time.
Also, it’s true that the more you put into your relationships, the more you get back in return – in most of the cases at least.
And why not – a relationship that is good and healthy, improves your life, mind, health, and your connections with others.
You can have a healthy relationship with your family, friends, parents, siblings, girlfriends, boyfriends, classmates, teachers, and just about anyone.
There are no secrets to creating relationships that are happy and healthy. Studies show that people with healthy relationships are less stressed and have more of happiness in their life.
However, did you know there are healthy and unhealthy relationships that some people have?
Unhealthy relationships on the contrary can be quite a pain. When relationships do not work, it can be a reason for a lot of stress and trauma.
You might like to read about – Relationship Issues: How To Avoid Them
But before I proceed further, let’s try to understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
That’s because if you know what is unhealthy in a relationship, you’ll value the healthier relationships in your life.
Not only will you learn the tips to have healthy relationships, but you’ll also know how to avoid its unhealthy aspects.
“The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but what we are.” ~ Stephen R. Covey
What Is A Healthy Relationship
Healthy relationships allow both parties to feel connected and supported, yet feel independent. Such a relationship results in healthier men and women, both physically and emotionally.
Relationships that are happy and healthy are an enjoyable experience.
Signs Of A Healthy Relationship
Some signs of a healthy relationship are when both partners –
• Listen to each other
• Compromise when required
• Treat each other with love and respect
• Do not criticize each other
• Are free and feel supported to do things they like
• Respect each other’s boundaries
• Do not accuse each other constantly
• Do not pressurize each other to do things they don’t want to do
• Trust each other
• Feel good about being with each other
• Share each other’s thoughts and feelings without any fear
• Celebrate each other’s joys, accomplishments, and successes
• Permit each other to spend time with family and friends
• Share some interests like music, writing, reading, sports, or movies
More details about these a little further.
However, all relationships aren’t healthy and there are times when you come across detrimental relationships too. Here is how you define an unhealthy relationship.
“However good or bad you feel about your relationship, the person you are with at this moment is the “right” person, because he or she is the mirror of who you are inside.” ~ Deepak Chopra
What Is An Unhealthy Relationship
Unhealthy relationships tend to leave you feeling afraid, sad, and uncomfortable. A relationship is unhealthy when it involves abusive or controlling behavior.
As per Columbia University health professionals, relationships where one person tries to control the other or is afraid of the other are unhealthy.
DO READ – 9 Early Signs Of An Abusive Relationship
Signs Of An Unhealthy Relationship
If you see these signs of an unhealthy relationship, you certainly need to change or make amends.
An unhealthy relationship is when you or your partner –
• Feel insecure and unsafe
• Are pressurized to change from who you are for the other person
• Feel anxious or disturbed around each other
• Remain worried when you disagree with each other
• Tend to neglect yourself or each other
• Feel pressurized to quit doing the things you used to enjoy
• Try to control or manipulate each other, whether about the way you act, look, dress, or any other
• Need to justify your actions about where you go or who you meet etc.
• Disrespect each others’ family and friends
• Suffer from domestic violence where there is hitting, punching, slapping, and other violent acts
• Mistreat each other and call each other names
• Demand sex or refuse to have sex when the other needs it, nor practice safe sex
If you have any of these signs of an unhealthy relationship, it doesn’t mean you need to end your relationship, unless you are in an abusive relationship that you need to leave at once.
MUST READ: An Interview with Sheila Kelley
However, if you feel that things can be managed, then start working on them.
This way you can convert your unhealthy relationship to a happier one by following these tips for healthy relationships as mentioned below.
Tips For Healthy Relationships
In healthy relationships the identity of both partners remains distinct, with each being free to do as and what one feels like. This creates a feeling of freedom and security.
Here are 10 tips for healthy relationships though I’m sure you can add many more to this list 🙂
1- Communicate, Talk, and Share
I don’t know how many times I’ve mentioned this one point in so many of my relationship related posts. That’s because it is the most essential factor for keeping your relationships healthy.
Poor communication always leads to relationship problems.
If something bothers you or you are troubled by some thought, it’s best to talk it over instead of keeping it within you.
You also need to learn how to listen and respond, rather than react negatively. Remember, the more you talk and communicate, the better your relationship becomes.
Tip: When you talk to someone, look into the eyes of the person, which shows you are attentive and listening. Hear them out and share your feelings – discuss and resolve issues.
2- Support and Nurture Each Other
Whatever be your relationship, you need to be supportive of each other by encouraging and reassuring your partner.
Let your partner or others around you also know when you need their support.
Take care of each other’s health, and enjoy the beauty, flowers, laughter, food, and everything around you. Live your relationships to the fullest.
Tip: No matter what the situation, stand by each other, of course there are exceptions! Remember, keeping relationships healthy is all about building each other up, not pulling each other down. Be by their side, they need you more than you can imagine.
3- Boost Your Relationship
Every relationship needs a boost now and then. You may need such boosters if you feel like the relationship is going stale or you feel disconnected from each other.
Take out quality time to spend with each other, away from all kind of work, family, kids, if you are partners or a spouse. If not, you still need to give your relationship time – away from other work.
Reboot it I would say by doing things together. Like, find a fun activity that you both enjoy. It could be just to talk things out, play some game, walk, drive, or anything that you both like to do.
Don’t feel overwhelmed in your work so that you aren’t able to connect with others. Find time to be with each other and strengthen your relationships.
Tip: Bring back the spice in your relationship by surprising and bonding with each other. The more you remain with each other, the better your relationship becomes.
4- Cooperate With Each Other
There are bound to be disagreements in a healthy relationship. But it’s important that you find ways to compromise and negotiate if you disagree on something.
There is always give and take in a healthy relationship. So if you expect to get what you want all the time, without giving anything in return, you’d be disappointed.
Both parties need to recognize what’s important to each other and need to work for that, without bringing their egos in or thinking of making their point always.
Tip: Try to be fair and resolve conflicts in a rational way.
5- Build The Respect and Trust
Whether it is your partner, parent child, or friend, you should respect and value the feelings and wishes of others.
There needs to be mutual respect, trust, and understanding to maintain healthy relationships.
“The fundamental glue that holds any relationship together is trust.” ~ Brian Tracy
Also, learn to respect each other’s privacy by giving each other space. Just being in a relationship doesn’t mean you need to be together all the time and share everything!
Tip: Work through relationship problems calmly as this makes it easy to figure out how to fix relationships issues with respect and trust.
6- Create Healthy Boundaries
When you set boundaries together, you can understand the kind of relationship you and your partner want.
Boundaries aren’t meant to make you feel trapped, nor are they meant to create distrust.
When you create such healthy boundaries, you are able to respect each other’s needs and likes, and go out with family and friends without your partner.
Nor do you have to share passwords to your phone, social media accounts, or emails with each other if not required.
Tip: Creating boundaries helps you live your life with each other with freedom to do what you like in your own way.
7- Develop Self-esteem
People in healthy relationships feel good about themselves and have good self-esteem.
They feel good about everything they do, whether it’s personal or professional and you can see them beaming with joy.
Don’t forget to pep up your partner by appreciating the little things they do and pay attention to the vital issues.
Tip: When you feel good about yourself, you see the good in others too. You need to express your emotions and feelings for each other to boost each other’s self confidence and morale.
Do Read – How To Boost Self Esteem In 8 Simple Ways
8- Be Assertive and Fight Fair
Being assertive means to clearly and respectfully ask for what you want, without any force or threats. Even if you have conflicts, which happen in any healthy relationship, learn to fight fair.
What you can do in such cases is –
• Plan out a time and talk about it, and don’t ignore the problem at hand.
• Don’t give the silent treatment to each other just because you want to keep away from the problem.
• Don’t assume or presume things without hearing the other person out.
• Don’t take out your problems on your partner, whether it is personal or work related.
• Don’t criticize each other. Try to resolve the problem, not attack the person. Remember healthy relationships don’t blame.
• Apologize when you are wrong – it goes a long way to build a happy relationship, which admit mistakes.
• Don’t hold grudges with each other as that just drains you off. Healthy relationships don’t hold on to past misunderstandings and hurt in relationships. Remember, the more you see the best in others, the better your relationship gets.
• If you need help, ask for it or share your relationship problems with us.
• When nothing works, you have a choice to move out of a relationship.
Keep your expectations realistic and don’t expect the other person to change according to you.
Don’t be aggressive when you communicate, instead respect the right of others, along with your own.
Tip: A healthy relationship means to accept people as they are without trying to change them. Don’t be aggressive, but be assertive.
“To know when to go away and when to come closer is the key to any lasting relationship.” ~ Domenico Cieri Estrada
9- Shift Roles Often
When you step into the shoes of the other person, you can experience what they go through. It helps you experience and live their life for a while so you understand all that they undergo.
Be open to shifting roles, like both men and women can take care of the kids, family, work, and yet find time for other things.
Tip: Live each other’s lives to know about the life of the other person. It helps develop compassion and understanding towards each other.
10- Be Dependable and Flexible
People prefer keeping situations the way they are and don’t want to adapt to change. Healthy relationships mean that you are ready to change and grow.
You need to be dependable in a relationship. So when you make a plan with someone, make sure you follow it through. If you take up a responsibility, ensure you complete it.
Tip: A healthy relationship is trustworthy, where change and growth are allowed.
“Commitment is inherent in any genuinely loving relationship.” ~ Scott Peck
Sometimes you might feel that everyone else around you is happy, connected, and in a healthy relationship, except you. Have you ever felt that way?
But the truth is most people feel like you do and wonder how to have a healthy relationship too!
You need to remember that it takes time to get to know people, talk and respond to them, something you need to keep trying.
It’s an ongoing process and developing such relationships can be learned and practiced, which only get better with time.
So, now with all these tips for healthy relationships, aren’t you going to work on your relationships and make them better?
Go ahead and make full efforts – value your relationships and your loved ones 🙂
“Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.” ~ Anthony J D Angelo
Over to you –
How do you develop and maintain a healthy relationship? What other tips for healthy relationships would you add to this list? Share in the comments.
Photo Credit: Freedigitalphotos