The only relationships that are worth keeping in your life are healthy ones. Healthy relationships can lift you up and improve your quality of life. It’s also proven to lower anxiety and depression, improve self-esteem, and even help with your physical health. However, a healthy relationship requires effort on both parties to flourish. Here are a few tips to help you build a healthy relationship with your partner.
Don’t be afraid of arguments.
Many people are afraid of getting into arguments with their partner because they believe that arguments are a sign of an unhealthy relationship. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, avoiding arguments by refusing to communicate may even lead to an unhealthier dynamic.
Disagreements can be resolved through a mature and healthy manner. On the other hand, sweeping things under the rug can build resentment in the relationship. The key is to be able to hash disagreements out without hurting each other’s feelings through personal insults or accusations. And remember, an argument doesn’t have to be ‘won’; instead, focus on resolving the issue and strive towards making compromises.
Establish and respect boundaries.
No matter how close you and your partner are, boundaries are still an important part of your relationship that you must establish and respect. This will help both partners feel more comfortable and safe with each other. These boundaries can be in regards to any aspect of the relationship. For example, you can set boundaries around privacy, physical intimacy, your material possessions, and more.
Build a good sense of trust.
Trust is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship, and one that should go both ways. If your partner is in need of a confidant, he or she should be able to trust you enough to go to you in times of need. Likewise, you should feel safe enough to turn to your partner whenever you need it. BY continuing to meet each other’s needs, you will find your trust in one another strengthening.
Don’t forget about your other relationships.
Your relationships with your friends and family are just as important as your relationship with your romantic partner. Being wholly dependent on your partner for all your needs can lead to an unhealthy dynamic. After all, a romantic partner can’t possibly fulfill every role in a person’s life. Be sure to spend quality time with your other loved ones. It will only make your time with your significant other feel more special. They do say that absense makes the heart grow fonder, after all.
Love yourself, too.
An important part of being in a relationship is showing love not just to your partner, but to yourself, too. If you’re unable to love or accept yourself, you may have a hard time believing a partner could do the same. This leads to an unstable foundation for a relationship. You can turn towards other loved ones to help you with your journey towards self-love, or you can seek professional help. Being more secure with yourself will bleed into your relationship, making it much healthier.