8 Signs You’re in Healthy Relationship

April 23, 2021

Each relationship is different, just as each relationship has its own strengths and weaknesses. You’ve read the red flags and signs of what a toxic relationship looks like. But what does a healthy relationship look like? There really is a clear line around what a healthy relationship looks like. Everyone deserves to feel healthy, beautiful love, a love that feels so good to them. Here’s the 8 signs of healthy relationship.

1. You and your partner are best friends

Your partner is not just your lover, they are your friend. A strong friendship can keep people together when the honeymoon phase is over. The friendship within the relationship builds a resistance against the temptation to be with someone else or intentionally hurting you.

2. They bring out your best self

A healthy relationship is reminding one another of what each other’s best self looks like. You accept each other the way you are, but you support each other’s dreams and goals. You encourage each other to try or explore new things that give benefit to yourself. A healthy relationship is filled with empowerment, it’s always encouraging each other to be better and bigger

3. You trust each other

You trust your partner won’t do anything to hurt you or ruin your relationship. That means, you believe his reason when he says he suddenly gets a deadline from his boss on your date night, you don’t question every single boy friend she has, checking each other’s phone, emails, etc. You feel safe with your partner and can allow yourself to be vulnerable. You trust that they care and that they won’t hurt you.

4. You communicate well and honestly

Talking Long Distance GIF by HannahWitton

In a healthy relationship, it’s important to be truthful and open. You both are comfortable to talk about things you both want. You also can talk about anything without fearing how they’ll respond or if you’ll be judged.

5. You respect each other

Doctor Who Television GIF by BBC America

You both value each other’s beliefs, opinions and who you are as a person. Examples are complimenting you, supporting your hard work and dreams, not trying to push or overstep your boundaries, and sticking up for you.

6. There’s life outside your relationship

Your partner is not the only person in your life. And of course it’s not necessary to do everything together. Sometimes you spend your weekend with your girlfriends and sometimes he has a boys night.

7. You both work together to keep your relationship healthy

You and your partner put equal effort into the relationship (instead of feeling like one person has more say than the other). Examples are feeling like you are heard in your relationship or feeling comfortable speaking up, making decisions together as opposed to one person calling all the shots, and equally compromising on decisions in your relationship that make the other person feel important or respected.

8. You’re happy

This is the most important. It’s simple and basic. If you are in a healthy relationship, you are happy. You’re not trying to change the other person. When you think about your partner, you smile a bit. Thinking about them makes you feel calm and secure. Obviously, no person is 100% happy all the time. Your relationship brings you a lot more happiness and joy than it does sadness or pain. It is a net positive. Your relationship doesn’t drain you emotionally, it energizes you.

How to build a healthier relationship

- Communicate effectively

Communicating efficiently will avoid or solve half the issues in your relationship. Clearer communication can mend the differences and give you clarity about your partner, and the relationship. Communication is not just verbal, it's also non-verbal as we all know actions speak volumes.

- Showing gratitude

Couples who feel gratitude for one another feel closer to one another and tend to be more satisfied with their relationships. Regularly say these 3 magic words; "I love you," "Thank you," and "I’m sorry."

- Seek help

If you think you and your partner need professional help, ask your partner to see a relationship counsellor or therapist together. A therapist can help to break unhealthy patterns you may feel trapped in and give you advice on which area you both should work together with.

Remember that you deserve healthy love. Remember that you deserve to feel adored, respected, companionship, and forever with someone that makes you feel better every day.

Maria Azzahra