Healthy relationships involve honesty, trust, respect and open communication between partners and they take effort and compromise from both people. There is no imbalance of power. Partners respect each other's independence, can make their own decisions without fear of retribution or retaliation, and share decisions.
What are the Signs of a Healthy Relationship?
No relationship is perfect. However, the sign of a healthy relationship is that it adds value to your life and brings more happiness into your world than stress. Relationships are complex and different for everyone. Here are some general signs of a healthy relationship:
- No violence or abuse.
- All parties maintain relationships with friends and family.
- Each individual has separate identities and their own interests/activities.
- An ability to feel safe expressing yourselves to one another.
- Trust.
- An ability to say no to sex or any other activity that an individual may be uncomfortable with.
- Communication.
- Address conflict fairly and negotiate.
- You can disagree.
- Awareness and respect of all individual's vulnerabilities and insecurities.
- You share responsibilities and tasks.
- You make decisions that concern the relationship together.
- You have fun together.
- You both have equal power.
- You have the space to make your own decisions.
- You support each other.
How Can I Make Positive Changes to My Relationship?
- Talk to each other about what matters to you. Regular communication is essential in any relationship.
- Really listen and try to understand each other. Try not to interrupt while your partner is trying to tell you something.
- Try to find solutions that work for both of you. You will probably need to compromise on some things.
- If you don't know what to do about your relationship concerns, talk things over with a trusted friend. They might have useful perspective.
- Be supportive. Try not to make judgements when your partner makes mistakes, or does things differently to you.
- Take responsibility for your actions. Remember, only you can change your behaviour.
- Be there for each other, in the good and not so good times.
- Take care of you. It can be easy to lose yourself and your needs in a relationship so try to remember your own needs.
- Keep your life balanced. Remember to take the time to enjoy your own hobbies and interests outside of the relationship. Healthy relationships aren't completely dependant!
- Be yourself! It's much easier and more fun to be yourself in your relationship.
- Let it go! Holding grudges can be damaging to a relationship.