How can you tell if you're in a healthy relationship?
When you are in a healthy relationship, you and your loved one are both happy with how things are going and feel connected to each other. Although that may seem obvious, about one in three marriages in Australia end in divorce. That means that being in a healthy relationship is usually easier said than done. But why is that important?
Being in a healthy romantic relationship has many benefits for your mental, physical, and emotional health. On the other hand, a toxic relationship causes sleep problems, anxiety and depression, unhealthy habits, and even heart problems.
You can recognize a good relationship by several characteristics, like trust and commitment. Still, that doesn't mean there are no issues — just that couples in a healthy relationship can handle them and stay together.
Side note, relationships can come in all shapes and sizes. Read our article about the new monogamous
Do you want to check where you and your partner stand? Here are eight signs you are in a healthy relationship.
1. You Trust Each Other
As you are probably well aware, trust is the foundation of a healthy relationship. For this reason, partners in a good relationship trust one another in all the important areas, including finances, fidelity, parenting styles, and so on.
Thanks to social media, smartphones, and spying apps, it has become all too easy to snoop. However, being in a strong relationship means you don't need to be a spy. That is because your partner shows (and proves to) you all the time that they are reliable, trustworthy, and available. They also express their faith in you by allowing you the freedom and space you require — without continuously checking in on you or going through your phone.
2. You Can Talk Directly and Openly
You usually notice when your partner does something you don't approve of. For instance, when they don't wash the dishes like you asked them to or don't return your call. But voicing your feelings and talking about unpleasant topics is not that easy. It takes a lot of courage, self-confidence, and strength to open up because you need to make yourself vulnerable in the process.
Being in a healthy relationship means that you feel confident enough to be candid with your significant other. Such communication helps you become closer with your partner, build honesty, and resolve any disputes that may arise. So, make sure to arrange regular check-ins with your loved one to ensure that you are both still on the same page and communicating.
3. You Both Have Independent Interests and Hobbies
In a great relationship, you have your own interests, and your partner doesn't make you feel guilty about them. That means you both encourage each other to pursue various interests on your own.
You might think that adapting to your partner's routines and hobbies will bring you closer. However, being overly dependent on one other will cause dissatisfaction over time. That's why you need a hobby of your own that will boost your confidence, happiness, and self-love. When you perceive yourself as an individual, you will recognize and convey your needs and desires more clearly.
4. You Feel Grateful for Having Them in Your Life
According to research, appreciating your lover is one of the most powerful indicators of whether or not couples are content in their relationships. That is because showing your appreciation for your partner and the things they do for you make both of you feel valued and happy in the relationship. Being appreciative of your loved one helps you concentrate on their positive characteristics, which may help balance out conflicts.
5. You Strive to Meet Each Other's Needs
In a good relationship, partners maintain a delicate balance in which everyone's needs are equally important. By that, we mean everything from sex and quality time spent together to small acts of kindness. Such a relationship is far healthier than a controlling or codependent one, in which one person practically always has their demands satisfied while the other goes wanting.
6. You Have Conflicts and Disagreements
Fighting doesn't mean your relationship is in trouble. On the contrary, if you never have any conflicts, that might indicate that you are ignoring issues. Unresolved and unacknowledged problems could build resentment and create bigger arguments later on.
As long as you keep things civil and respectful, an argument can help you learn more about your relationship, your partner, and yourself. What's more, resolving conflicts proves that both parties are willing to stay together despite the disagreements.
That being said, it is also fine to have a few matters on which you and your partner will never agree. They are the subjects that you both have different perspectives and opinions on.
7. You Spend Some Time Away from Them
Partners need some time away to unwind. How much alone time they require depends from person to person, but taking the afternoon, a day, or a weekend to spend with friends is completely normal.
8. Physical Intimacy Is an Important Part of the Relationship
Touching, kissing, and sex are crucial for a healthy relationship. That said, there's no rule saying how often you should have sex or snuggle. The only important thing is that both of you feel like your physical needs are met.
The Takeaway
Every relationship is unique. As long as you and your partner are happy together and respect each other's needs and boundaries, you are probably in a healthy relationship. So, just keep doing what you are doing and make sure your partner knows how much you love and appreciate them.