Every relationship is unique, but they all have one thing in common—they all require work. Whether you have been together for month or many years, there are plenty of ways to build a healthy relationship together. With hard work, dedication, and flexibility, you will find a deeper since of connection and fulfillment within to your relationship to help negative the inevitable ups and downs.
What does a healthy relationship look like?
A healthy relationship can mean and look different for everyone. However, there are some common traits to look for within your relationship to determine its health. Being able to talk openly and honestly with your partner without fear of disagreement is very important! Start by having a conversation with your partner to discuss your shared goals for what you want your relationship to be and where you see it going. Being able to express your feelings without fear of humiliation or rejection is key to a healthy relationship. It is also important to make your partner feel loved and emotionally fulfilled within the relationship. Feeling loved means feeling accepted, valued, and truly understood! It is important to fight past the surface and develop a deeper sense of connection in order to find not only a healthy relationship, but a happy one.
Tips for Building a Healthy Relationship
Tip 1. Quality time
Commit to spending quality time together as much as possible. No matter how busy life gets, take the time to focus on one another in order to continue building that connection! Do something you both enjoy doing or try something new. The important part is having fun with your partner—your relationship should not be a stressor in your life!
Tip 2. Practice good communication
This is fundamental for any healthy relationship! If the communication is good between you and your partner, you can work through any problem that may arise. It is important to be up front and honest about what you are feeling and/or what you need. Do not make them guess! This will only lead to resentment and/or anger if they are not accurate in their way of thinking. It is also important to really listen to what your partner is feeling and/or what they need. Do not just hear their words but listen to what it is they are saying to further build that sense of connection and ensure that everyone feels accepted.
Tip 3. Keep physical intimacy alive
Even as life gets stressful, the need for physical connection never goes away. Although sex is often considered an important part of a committed relationship, this should not be the only form of physical connection shared. Affectionate touching, such as holding hands, hugging, kissing, etc., is equally important within a healthy relationship. If you are not able to be together physically, discuss with your partner other ways to keep the connection alive.
Tip 4. Learn to compromise
Relationships are about give and take and conflict is inevitable. But how you and your partner chose to respond to this is entirely up to you! Expecting to get what you want 100% of the time is setting yourself up for failure. By expressing what you want (and hearing what they want), this will allow you both to come to a compromise as there is no winning or losing within a healthy relationship. Be willing to forgive past transgressions and move forward together into your better future!
Tip 5. Be prepared for a bumpy road!
There will be times when one of you is struggling (or maybe both at the same time) and/or times when you will not be on the same page. But it is important to not place those outside issues onto your partner. It might seem easier to lash out at them then deal with the real problem, but this will only cause more issues in the end! Try communicating what you are feeling in a constructive way that promotes healthy conversation instead of looking for an argument. All relationships will have their ups and downs, so be willing to go with the flow. How you respond to conflict is entirely up to you, but the best way to respond to conflict is to face it together!