Healthy Relationships: How To Find Healthy Love
Connection is part of human nature. We are social beings and tend to thrive when our connections with others are healthy. We will have many types of relationships during our lives, with friends, family members, and long-term partners, so developing healthy connections is an important part of us being able to thrive.
But what is healthy love? When it comes to love and identifying exactly what recipe is needed for a healthy relationship, it can feel confusing. This is because every person has different needs within a relationship.
If you’re wondering, ‘What is a healthy relationship?’, or you’d like to understand more about the signs of a healthy relationship, read on to discover what defines healthy love.
Understanding the Basics of Healthy Relationships
A healthy relationship feels good for both partners and is based on mutual love for one another. There are many different characteristics of a healthy relationship, but ultimately, it must meet both people’s needs.
So what does healthy love feel like? You’ll instinctively know when a relationship feels healthy because you come away feeling positive. Healthy relationship characteristics include mutual respect, trust, open communication, and the ability to express your feelings and feel heard.
There are no perfect relationships, and during stress or conflict, things may not feel as healthy as they usually do. However, there are many characteristics of healthy relationships that provide a strong core to keep the relationship balanced during tougher times.
The 5 A's of a Healthy Relationship
Affection
Have you ever asked yourself, ‘What does healthy love look like?’ If so, you’ll probably think of affection. Affection plays an important part in maintaining healthy romantic relationships. Physical touch such as holding hands, hugging, kissing, and generally being close, helps to show a partner affection. On a human level, physical touch is a great way to boost a relationship and maintain intimacy.
Attention
Paying attention to a partner is one of the vital characteristics of healthy relationships. Attention might look like a couple who spends time together, listening to each other, having a partner who will offer support, and generally paying attention to the things that are important to one another.
Appreciation
Another vital factor in a healthy relationship is appreciation. Whether it’s making eye contact when your partner is speaking, or thanking them for the things that they do, a little appreciation always goes a long way in making sure a partner feels loving appreciation.
Acceptance
A healthy relationship requires acceptance of the other person. Wanting to change and control somebody is a common trait in unhealthy relationships, where instead there needs to be mutual respect. Each of us must embrace the other person’s differences, and accept them for who they are.
Allowance
An important part of being in a healthy relationship is giving each other the space to explore individual interests. Time alone is often as important as time together so that hobbies and passions can be pursued. Allowing the other person the space to be who they are is a good sign that a partner feels comfortable in themselves, and also wants to maintain their independence.
The Core Characteristics of Healthy Love
Trust and Honesty
Trust is an important factor in a long-term relationship. Establishing a strong foundation of trust helps a partnership to grow in stability, and allows each person to feel safe and secure within the relationship.
Communication
A healthy relationship allows a person to feel comfortable in sharing their thoughts and feelings openly and honestly, and vice versa. This kind of vulnerability allows your partner to see the whole of you and helps to build trust in each other.
Mutual Respect
Having mutual respect for one another is a key sign of a strong relationship. This allows each person to feel valued in the partnership, and able to express their innermost dreams and fears. Each partner should also respect the other’s boundaries, and value their decisions.
Quality Time
As a partnership, it’s important to spend time together to strengthen the bond between you. Quality time alone means making space to focus on each other without distractions and using this time to nurture your relationship.
Independence
After a time, many people who are in a relationship often forget to pursue their passions and maintain their individuality. Often, they don’t feel that these things are important, but nurturing who you are as an individual, and following your interests, is vital for your growth and mental health. Looking after your personal growth will only serve to add to your relationship.
The 3 C’s of Healthy Relationships
Communication
No relationship will be smooth sailing all of the time, but when challenges do arise, those who can communicate healthily will reap the rewards of a satisfying, long-lasting relationship. Good communication also means being able to express yourself in compassionate ways and being able to see things from the other person’s side.
Compromise
As with communication, compromise is another important requirement of healthy relationships. A strong partner will understand the need for compromise, and have a desire to find that middle ground where both can find happiness. If this is an issue in your relationship, it can be helpful to study each other’s love language. You can take the Love Language quiz here.
Commitment
It takes time and commitment to grow a healthy relationship. Each person must choose to dedicate time towards growing the relationship, making decisions together, and supporting one another. When challenges arise, both partners must be responsible for resolving differences, and working to strengthen the future of the relationship.
Spotting Red Flags: What Makes a Relationship Toxic?
When a relationship becomes unhealthy, the other partner’s behaviour starts to harm the other person, and the relationship as a whole. This might look like being controlled, not being listened to, being criticised, feeling afraid to be yourself, or even abused such as domestic violence. When there is a lack of trust, or a partner begins to feel unsafe, this will have a huge impact on mental health.
Maintaining the Spark
A relationship needs to be nourished so that it continues to strengthen and feel satisfying for both people. Try checking in regularly with each other’s thoughts and feelings, and being there for your partner, no matter what. Always be open and honest, and ensure you pay attention to your partner, whether that’s active listening, or noticing when they might be struggling with something.
Key Takeaways
Building and maintaining healthy relationships is essential for both partners’ happiness and well-being. It requires effort, understanding, and mutual respect during both the good times and the more challenging ones. Being in a healthy relationship is not about things being perfect, but about finding the space, mutual trust, and respect to feel safe, grow together, and nurture each other.
Learn More With Gareth Michael
Do you feel ready to take your relationship to the next level? If you’re ready to transform your relationship into a happier, healthier one, then take the first step today! As an expert in relationship guidance, Gareth will guide you every step of the way. Whether you are looking to improve communication, deepen your connection, or navigate challenges, Gareth’s holistic approach will help you to clarify and achieve your goals.
Get in touch today to book your complimentary 30-minute discovery call, and begin your journey to healthier relationships.
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