Relationships define your life and state of mind. A healthy relationship is more like oxygen- the more you have it, the healthier you remain mentally and physically. But an unhealthy relationship can be like a toxin- you can’t have it for long without damaging yourself.
It is pointless to pretend that your relationship with some person has a future when none of you respect each other or benefit from the other person’s presence. The similarity in hobbies and passions does not ensure that you will have a good relationship with someone, be it your life partner, best friend, or family member. There are things that show the relationship growing between the two of you is healthy and for a happier future.
- Speaking out your mind
Relationships thrive when you can express yourself freely and honestly. Do you say “I love you” to your partner? Jonah Engler points out that it is really healthy to say the words even if both of you know that love exists. Similarly, saying “sorry” when you understand your mistake or “Thank you” when you really acknowledge something that your partner did for you are signs that you care for that person.
- Show disagreements
It is unnecessary for husbands and wives to always agree on the same points. You may disagree at some point, and it’s okay to voice out the reason. Argue, if necessary. There will be debates and arguments in relationships. But there is actually no winner or loser.
Sometimes, you stop arguing further because you don’t lie about the way the argument is progressing. Sometimes, you know that what the other person is saying is correct. It’s more about agreeing to a common decision instead of trying to name a winner and loser.
- Acceptance of reality
Humans have flaws. And you have to accept that none of you are flawless. Just as you will have a set of flaws, your partner will also have flaws. A healthy relationship will always accept reality. Don’t think that a strained relationship will get better once you have a better job, a bigger home, or a child. Both of you need to accept each other as you are right now. Otherwise, you can never accept the relationship despite every good happening in life.
- Being the safety net for each other
Can you share your deepest and darkest secrets with your partner? Does your partner comes to you at the end of the day and shares the frustrations or joys? It s crucial to be the safety net for each other so that you can share your private emotions with each other.
- Relationships fail when you don’t find the confidence in your partner and try sharing things with someone else.
- Intimate conversations allow you to show your vulnerable side to your partner.
It helps both of you to hold on more strongly to each other than drifting apart.
- Being independent
When you stay for a long time with someone, codependency becomes a habit. And this habit sometimes becomes the reason for growing older in a relationship where there is no feeling. But becoming independent as and when the situation changes are a sign of a healthy relationship.
- Your husband may have to shift to a different location on short notice for work purposes. Of course, you don’t get the time to prepare yourself for a long-distance relationship. However, if the bond is strong, you can maintain the relationship using your own special ways.
- Immediate vicinity should not be the prime reason for a relationship to continue.
A little distance on and often help you to assess the relationship.
- Personal space
Just because you love each other does not mean you are bound to spend every moment together. You should have separate lives with friends and office colleagues and also maintain individual interests to make sure that you have a life of your own too.
- Care is essential
With tremendous work stress, most couples cannot be available for each other all the time, but it is necessary to give the feeling that the person cares for you and vice versa. It’s not necessary that you can celebrate your anniversary physically together. But it’s necessary to arrange for small surprises and a warm way to wish the anniversary for making the day special again.
- Feeling of satisfaction
When you sleep beside your partner, do you feel satisfied at the end of the day? Are you happy and have a smile just because the other person is present beside you? Jonah Engler defines this as the perfect healthy relationship.
- Encourage growth
Relationships should be the source of inspiration. Encourage your partner to spread the wings further instead of shielding the person away from any growth opportunity for fear of losing the person. You cannot captivate a person. Your loved one will continue loving you more if you allow the person to grow and achieve the goals.
- Trust factor
You don’t have to check mobile phones secretly to know whether your partner s cheating on you. The trust factor is an important aspect of a healthy relationship. When you commit to someone, you should know that honesty prevails in the relationship.
- Forgive
Mistakes are part and parcel of life. But forgiveness is mandatory to maintain a healthy relationship unless the mistake is unforgivable. Think and analyze from your partner’s perspective to understand whether the person made an unintentional mistake.
- Accept criticism
Your partner has the right to criticize you, and so can you. If either of you can’t accept criticism, you must be nurturing more ego. And that’s certainly unhealthy for any relationship.
- Confidence in each other
When something goes wrong, you should have the confidence to run to your partner and break down. You will know well that the person can put everything right, even if that means through the kind words. This confidence in a person defines a great relationship.
If you notice these signs in your relationship, do know that you have a future. Even if you argue a lot and frequently disagree, growing older will be a nice journey as you love each other in a healthy way.