Healthy Relationships

Healthy Relationships
Body
Healthy relationships section
Healthy relationships allow both partners to feel supported and connected but still feel independent. COMMUNICATION and BOUNDARIES are the two major components of a healthy relationship. Ultimately, the two people in the relationship decide what is healthy for them and what is not.  If something doesn’t feel right, you should have the freedom to voice your concerns to your partner.

Communication

Communication allows you and your partner to have a deep understanding of each other, and allows you to connect. In a healthy relationship with good communication, both partners:

 

  • Speak openly to one another about thoughts and feelings

  • Feel heard when expressing feelings

  • Listen to each other and compromise

  • Do not criticize each other

  • Feel supported to do the things they like

  • Feel acknowledged if there is something they do not want to do

  • Celebrate each other’s accomplishments and successes

 

Boundaries

 

Each person should express to their partner what they are and are not comfortable with regarding intimacy, sex, finances, family and friends, personal space and time, and hobbies and interests.

 

In a healthy relationship with boundaries, both partners:

 

  • Allow each other to spend time with friends and family

  • Do not abuse technology to check on a partner

  • Trust each other and not require their partner to “check in”

  • Do not pressure the other to do things that they don’t want to do

  • Do not constantly accuse the other of cheating or being unfaithful

  • Is responsible for his/her self-esteem

  • Create a balance between "togetherness" and "separateness"

 

A healthy relationship is free from physical, emotional, and sexual violence. Qualities like respect, good communication, and honesty are important parts of a healthy relationship. They are built on a foundation of respect. Respect is a choice, and when you give it, you are more likely to get it in return. It is important to learn how to treat others the way they want to be treated. When respect is absent, a relationship may turn from healthy to unhealthy.

The following are characteristics of a healthy dating relationship:

 

  • Mutual respect. Respect means that each person values who the other is and understands the other person's boundaries.

  • Trust. Partners should choose to trust in each other and give each other the benefit of the doubt.

  • Honesty. When a dating partner lies, it takes time to rebuild that trust in them. Honesty builds trust and strengthens the relationship.

  • Compromise. In a dating relationship, each partner does not always get their. They should acknowledge different points of view and be willing to give and take.

  • Individuality. Each partner should not have to compromise who they are, and their identity should not be based on their partner's. Partners should each continue seeing their own friends or doing the things that they love. They should be supportive if their partner wants to pursue new hobbies or make new friends.

  • Good communication. Each partner should speak honestly and openly to avoid miscommunication. If a partner needs to sort out their feelings first, their partner should respect those wishes and wait until they are ready to talk.

  • Anger control. We all get angry, but how we express it can affect our relationships with others. Anger can be handled in healthy ways such as taking a deep breath, counting to 10, or talking it out.

  • Problem solving. Dating partners can learn to solve problems and identify new solutions by breaking a problem into small parts or by talking through the situation.

  • Fighting fair. Everyone argues at some point, but if you stick to the subject and avoid insults you are more likely to come up with a possible solution. Partners should take a short break away from each other if the discussion gets too heated.

  • Understanding. Each partner should take time to understand what the other might be feeling by putting themselves in their shoes.

  • Self-confidence. When dating partners have confidence in themselves, it can help their relationships with others. It shows that they are calm and comfortable enough to allow others to express their opinions without forcing their own opinions on them.

  • Being a role model. By embodying what respect means, partners can inspire each other, friends, and family to choose respect, too.