livestrong.com
Humans are naturally social creatures, craving connections with people, including intimacy and love. Whether you’re searching for someone or striving to improve the relationship you’re in, it helps to know the hallmarks of a strong relationship. The 10 signs of a healthy relationship include basic principles such as communication and appreciation, as well as tips for handling arguments and conflict.
Trust
Trust is an essential element for all relationships. Each partner should have faith in the other. You should not have to wonder if your lover is telling the truth.
Respect
According to Teens Health, strong relationships must include mutual respect. Your partner should never put you down, mock you or make degrading remarks about you. When your lover appreciates and loves you for who you are, he will show respect for you.
Communication
Communication is the foundation of a healthy relationship. The University of Texas at Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center advises couples to set aside time to regularly check in with each other, so they can deal with any issues before they blow up or become unmanageable.
Flexibility
Life is constantly changing, and healthy relationships recognize that fact. Lovers need to be flexible to adapt to changes in each others’ work, home and family lives, as well as changes in the dynamics and stages of the relationship.
Shared Interests
Sharing interests allows couples to bond and enjoy spending free time together. Many couples share a love of sports, movies, pets, cooking, fashion, travel, reading or art. Having at least one activity you enjoy doing together will bring you closer and offer a way to destress and reconnect during hard times.
Alone Time
Just as spending time together strengthens your relationship, having time apart is important as well. Couples need to remember that they had separate lives before falling in love, and maintaining separate interests gives each person breathing room. Both partners should have some regular alone time to enjoy individual interests and recharge.
Friends and Family
Healthy relationships include strong connections with friends and family. Although the beginning stages of falling in love can be intense and make you want to see no one but your lover, it’s important to maintain your relationships with other people you care about with regular visits, outings and get-togethers. Strong relationships gain power from outside connections, keeping the relationship exciting and dynamic while preventing suffocation.
Compromise
Compromise is necessary in any relationship, whether you’re at work or with your spouse. Both partners must be willing to make concessions to reach the common good. The best relationships include an equal amount of sacrifice from each partner, so no one feels taken advantage of or ignored.
Arguing Fairly
There comes a time in every relationship where arguments arise, and it is important that you both fight fair, expressing your own opinion and also listening to the other person’s viewpoint. Techniques such as taking time to cool off, writing feelings in a journal and talking to a relationship therapist are all healthy ways to deal with emotional arguments.
Appreciation
It is important for each person to feel appreciated in a relationship. Praise your partner, offer compliments and use creative ways to show you care. Problems can arise when you or your partner feel unappreciated and taken for granted. The point of a relationship is to feel loved, so be sure you both show you care.
