Are You in a Healthy Relationship? How to find out

Healthy relationships involve honesty, trust, respect and open communication between partners and they take effort and compromise from both people. There is no imbalance of power. Partners respect each other’s independence, can make their own decisions without fear of retribution or retaliation, and share decisions. Some important keys to a healthy relationship are as follows:

Communication

Communication is important in any relationship, as it allows you to effectively share feelings, opinions and expectations. Many people fail to communicate due to a fear of rejection or the fear that they’ll end up upsetting or even losing their partner, family members or friends.

5 Easy ways to communicate better in a relationship

1. Ask Open-Ended Questions.
2. Pick Up on Nonverbal Cues.
3. Don’t Try to Read Their Mind.
4. Conversations are a Two-Way Street.
5. Set Aside Time to Talk.
6. Tell Them What You Need From Them.

Honesty

Honesty is the foundation for trust in a relationship, and trust is necessary for a relationship to function and thrive. When you’re always honest with someone, it tells them that they can trust you and the things you say. It helps them know they can believe your promises and commitments

Some ways to build trust and honesty in a relationship

• Know yourself and your intentions. To be honest with someone else, we must know ourselves.
• Make your actions match your words.
• Be sincere about your reactions.
• Be open to feedback.
• Accept your partner as a separate person.

Respect

Respect means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they’re different from you or you don’t agree with them. Respect in your relationships builds feelings of trust, safety, and wellbeing. Respect doesn’t have to come naturally — it is something you learn.

How to show respect

• listen to others.
• Affirm people’s opinions.
• Empathize with different perspectives.
• Disagree respectfully.
• Apologize when you’re in the wrong.
• Call out disrespectful behavior.
• Show gratitude.
• Compliment the achievements of others.

Dependability

Dependability in a relationship means you can count on your partner to be reliable and trustworthy. This includes being willing to admit mistakes and always being truthful, including in interactions with others. Saying what you mean and meaning what you say are part of being truthful.

Empathy

Empathy is a powerful force that helps maintain social order and cooperation. It is the mechanism that allows people to understand and relate to others. Empathy is a necessary precursor to intimacy, trust, and belonging. It is also the feeling that makes it difficult to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.

How to enhance empathy in relationship

• Be mindful of your signals.
• Give your partner genuine attention.
• Practice loving-kindness.
• Seek out the positive.
• Be self-compassionate

Interdependence

interdependence involves a balance of self and others within the relationship, recognizing that both partners are working to be present and meet each other’s physical and emotional needs in appropriate and meaningful ways.

Ways to be independent in a relationship

• Learn To Recognize Your Own Emotions. …
• Do Something By Yourself. …
• Understand & Accept Your Partner’s Point Of View. …
• Learn To Be Interdependent, Not Codependent. …
• Think Of Your Core Values. …
• Maintain Your Own Passions. …
• Learn To Love Yourself

Purpose

A relationship purpose statement can be discussed as well. You want to uncover if the relationship still has meaning or if it has become the victim of habit. Does it even make sense to continue the relationship? You do not have to even be in a relationship to write a relationship purpose statement.

Such a relationship has the goal of providing a sense of belonging, mutual concern, respect, and sexual intimacy. This type of relationship may be desired to meet social and emotional needs, particularly when basic physical and safety needs are already met