What makes for a healthy
romantic relationship differs from couple to couple. Forming a trusting
and positive partnership takes effort and time. And unfortunately, it
doesn’t just happen overnight. For any relationship to grow strong and
stay strong, you need to put in some work. Below are some habits that
will help create and maintain a happy and healthy two some.
Communication
Communication
is key. It is one of the most important qualities a healthy
relationship. However, not everyone knows how to communicate properly
... or even communicate at all. Happy and healthy couples have this game
down. They vocalize their love for one another, saying “I love you”
often and offering compliments. They also discuss the bad instead of
sweeping issues under the rug. In order to move forward and grow, you
two need to be able to truly talk about your feelings. No matter how
awkward or uncomfortable it feels, it will make for a long-lasting and
fulfilling relationship.
Respect
Aretha
Franklin sang a whole song about it, so you know it’s got to be
important. Respecting your partner comes in many forms. Maintaining a
joyful relationship means respecting your partner’s time, heart,
character, and trust. However, there are many things people do in
relationships that can break down respect, like name-calling, talking
negatively about the other to friends or family, and/or threatening to
leave the relationship.
Quality Time, Not Quantity
It’s
all about quality over quantity. It doesn’t matter how much time you
and your partner spend together. The most important part is about the
quality of this time. There’s a huge difference between having dinner at
a table while talking about your day at work, versus having dinner
while sitting on a couch watching the latest episode of The Voice. It’s
fine to zone out together and enjoy distractions, but it’s crucial to
make sure you two are still engaging and spending quality time together
to maintain a deep connection.
Time Apart
Spending
time together with your partner is important. But just as important is
spending time apart. Being able to do your own things and remain
independent is vital. When couples spend too much time together, it can
create an unhealthy codependence. Maintaining healthy boundaries and
some autonomy will make for a long-lasting partnership.
Love Languages
Gary
Chapman came up with the notion that men and women have five love
languages. People have unique ways of feeling loved. There are words of
affirmation, receiving gifts, quality time, acts of service, and
physical touch. It’s important to know which love language speaks to
you, along with your partner. Telling each other what makes you feel
loved and special helps both of you stay connected. Furthermore, make
sure you are attending to your partner’s love language consistently.
Appreciation
Often,
we forget to let other people in our lives know that we appreciate
them. We think it, but we don't remember to show it. This occurs in our
romantic relationships as well. Show your special someone that you love
him or her. This could be done with words, cards, flowers, acts of
kindness, or more. Remember, a flower a day keeps the fights at bay.
Okay, maybe not every day, but you get the point.
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