14 Signs of Healthy Relationships

We have all been in love. Love always finds us, often when we are not looking for it. It could either be a romantic interest, a fluffy friend, a family member, a friend, or dance and even books. Love, they say, is the single most important thing that drives the world. It is love that inspires the creation of art in various forms and it is the loss of a loved one that drove Shakespeare to write his famous tragedies.

Love is what we hear in every note of music composed by an artist and love is what we see with every brushstroke on a canvas by a painter. Love is what binds us social beings and keeps us together. The idea of love may be subjective but what is not subjective is the fact that without love there cannot exist a healthy romantic relationship between two people.

Times are changing and so are the previously considered unconventional ideas of relationships, which certainly is for the good. There exists a wide spectrum of relationships, and the label you put on those relationships doesn’t really matter.

However, it is important to be in a healthy relationship with your partner. Relationships can go two ways. They can either make you feel alive from within every living cell of yours or can completely reverse your perception of love. There’s no other way around it. No relationship is ever a completely smooth ride right till the end. There will always be curbs or barriers, but what sets a healthy relationship apart from the rest is how you and your partner cross that barrier together.

*DISCLAIMER

Now, we are nobody to tell you if your relationship is healthy or not. Every relationship is different and everyone has a different equation with their partner but there are certainly a few pointers that may set a healthy relationship apart from the rest. This is not a checklist for a healthy relationship but just a few popular signs that have been well researched. Do not panic if you cannot relate to some or all the points in this list. It is not for us but for you to decide if your relationship is healthy or not!

Brilliant! Now that it has been cleared out, we can proceed to discuss the common signs of a healthy relationship.

You both work on the relationship, together

Always remember, a relationship is a two-way street. It takes both partners to complete the relationship. Both of you must be willing to put in equal time, effort and warmth into the relationship. If it’s only one person who is constantly trying to save the relationship it will eventually lead to burnout. Reciprocity is very important. Not only is it an essential component of a relationship but also provides gratification. It also signals your significant other that you’re still into them!

You can talk about anything

Being able to talk to your partner without having the fear of judgment just as you would talk to your best friend or even yourself is one of the happiest feelings in the world! If you’re very comfortable with your partner, you will be able to talk to them about any topic without having to think twice or fearing serious judgment. Not only do light-hearted and absolutely silly topics become easier to discuss but also the grave or the serious ones. It brings a level of comfort to the relationship. However, do not worry if you are not at this stage just yet. This is something that takes time to build. Give your relationship that time. There is no reason to force things.

Long silences are comfortable

This may seem completely contradictory to what we just mentioned but bear with us for a moment. Imagine going out for lunch with a person you have never met for the first time. There may be several or at least a few moments of silence where each of you is thinking about how to keep the conversation going, how to respond to a question, and how much of yourself to reveal.

The prolonged silence can also be very awkward or uncomfortable. Trying to constantly beak the silence can be taxing. However, as time passes, you not only get better at conversing, but you also get better at conversing through silence! This is a sign of a healthy relationship. It is a matter of being comfortable and respecting each other’s space.

Distance doesn’t bother them

As cliché as this may sound, it is true. If you truly love one another and if things can be worked out, the distance will not be a reason to call the relationship off. A study said that over 28 million people in the United States are in long-distance relationships. That’s got to mean something, right? This number has only gone higher after the pandemic.

We aren’t saying that distance doesn’t matter but if you both are willing to put in the efforts and you both truly love each other, it will work out! Initially, things may be difficult but you both just have to find a way to make it work and if it does work out, it will all be worth in the end!

They are there during tough times

Being there does not just mean physically, but emotionally. The truest partners stick with you during the rough times. Your partner must be there not just to celebrate your good days but also to share your burden during the tough ones. In a healthy relationship, your better half will always make you feel warm, loved, secure, and just be there to listen to you during the bad days if nothing else can be done about it.

They truly care

This one seems pretty self-explanatory. When they truly care, they will make it known to you not just through their words but also their actions. Trust us, you will know!

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A post shared by Catana (@catanacomics)

It is based on trust and respect

Trust and respect are the foundations of any healthy relationship. Once, a lack of trust and insecurity kicks in, a relationship can start regressing. It is important to trust your companion in a healthy relationship. As far as respect is concerned, a healthy pair of partners will always respect each other’s privacy, personal space, and time. Both of you must also care for and value each other.

The spark doesn’t die out

In a healthy relationship, you will always feel a sense of strong bond and attachment with your partner. Also, both physical and emotional intimacy are of equal importance. Together, you will find ways to spice up your relationship or rekindle it!

There is total acceptance

A good part of any healthy relationship is accepting each other for truly who they are. This includes accepting the minor flaws, the personality, and the companion as a whole. The aim here is not to settle for less or not speak for yourself when required. There lies a fine line there. A good relationship will never ask you to change for the worse. There is health in acceptance.

They keep their promises

If their actions align with their words and they do not fail to break their promises you’ve got a keeper! Because living up to the words we speak is harder than we think. A simple skill that eludes many of us. Like it or not, living up to our words is the foundation of trust and respect as well. People in happy and healthy relationships keep their promises.

There is space

Extreme possessiveness and clinginess can ruin any relationship. An important part of a healthy relationship is recognizing each other’s space and priorities as well as respecting them. It is essential to spend time with each other, but it is also equally essential to take some time off and spend with yourself. We all need to work on ourselves and maintain our individuality in the relationship. This is where space plays a major role.

They communicate

Open communication avoids problems related to trust, insecurities, or even misunderstandings. Good communication is the basis of any good relationship. It is important to know how the other person feels to develop a deeper bond. Every couple has a different way to communicate. Find out what works best for you and keep your partner in the loop, too!

You are each other’s best friends

How wonderful is it to be best friends with the person you are dating or are married to! People are rarely able to build a bond this strong. This type of relationship takes time, patience, and lots of effort to build but it eventually turns out beautiful because of its strong base. All the laughs, love, attraction, ghastly crying, and endless talks, what more do you want!

You both always come around

No matter how much you both might argue or fight with each other you both always come around and reconcile with each other.

Tips to work on your relationship

Relationships are just like plants. Well more complex than that, but you get the point. The more you water it with love, care, efforts, and meaningful activities, the more it will grow and blossom. It is a long journey that you need to walk with your partner and requires immense patience throughout. Just as plants go through various phases of blossom and growth during the different seasons, your relationship will go through various phases depending on different factors and situations of life. However, here are a few things that can help you along the way:

• Spend some quality time with each other, go out for walks or some romantic dates.
• Communicate clearly with each other.
• Do not stop making efforts no matter how comfortable you get. Every day is a new day and every day you must try to give your best.
• Surprise your partner with goodies on days other than the ones marked on your calendar!
• Take some time off for each other to work on yourself and do the things you love.
• Physical intimacy is just as important as emotional intimacy. Take that weekend off and go for a mini-vacation!

It is for you to discover and grow

As mentioned earlier, relationships take effort and patience. Every person is different and what may work for one may not work for another. At the end of the day, it is important to discover and learn what works for the two of you and understand each other well. There is no fixed formula for good relationships. If things have to work, they will, and for now, all you can do is give it your best. Even though there is a lot that goes into relationships, the right person will always make you feel good and make things easier. Lastly, when it feels right, it probably is right. Trust us, you will know it!