Are you wondering whether you have healthy relationships with the people in your life? Whether it’s romantic, platonic, or familial relationships, building and maintaining a healthy bond with others is a key aspect of living a happy life. Whilst the determining factors of a healthy relationship may differ from person to person, there is a multitude of traits that are common indicators. So, here are 8 signs of a healthy relationship.
Also read: 8 flaws that actually make you more attractive
1. Adaptability
As with emotions, human personalities are subject to change and fluctuations as life happens. Have you ever thought someone in your life was changing?
Well, whilst they are still themselves, they may portray an alternate version of themselves through time and experiences.
According to therapist Lindsey Antin, being aware and accepting of this is important, as one thing healthy relationships largely share is adaptability.
In order to achieve a balanced power dynamic, both partners in the relationship must be willing to compromise for each other and adapt to changes.
2. Encouragement
All of us have had various dreams and goals. Although our goals might not always align with other people’s goals, people in healthy relationships acknowledge the importance of constant encouragement.
Even if you don’t relate to or fully understand the goal of someone in your life, offering encouraging words and support might just help make their day.
3. Comfortability
Do you ever notice your body physically relax as soon as you’re in the presence of someone who is very close to you?
This might involve inhaling deeply and then sighing in relief as soon as you enter the safe comfortable space with them.
Feeling at ease is a telltale sign of a healthy relationship. If you feel tense around someone you’d like to get closer with, try communicating with them, as opening up might help the relationship progress. And it might, in turn, make you feel more comfortable with them.
4. Trust
A huge sign of a healthy relationship is trust. Imagine you get a text from your partner, saying that they’re going to the same party as their ex.
If you feel calm and unthreatened by this, it suggests a trusting and healthy relationship. Similarly, if you trust your friends and family to have back, it suggests a healthy dynamic.
If, however, you don’t trust these people in your life, this is something you can work on by communicating and being open and honest with them.
5. Physical Intimacy
Intimacy doesn’t always mean sex. Plenty of research has shown the importance of physical contact for well-being. And it’s therefore, no surprise that healthy relationships often involve cuddling, kissing, hugging, or even just being in the physical presence of one another.
If you find yourself being physically drawn to a friend, partner, or family member, there’s a good chance that you have a healthy relationship with them.
Equally, however, if you don’t feel comfortable being physically intimate with someone, it’s important that the other person respects this and doesn’t make you feel pressured in any way.
6. Boundaries
One of the fastest ways to break down a relationship is crossing one another’s boundaries. On the other hand, recognizing and respecting the other person’s physical and emotional boundaries is essential in forming a healthy relationship.
There are three components involved in creating boundaries for yourself:
Identifying what your boundaries are, communicating them to others, and sticking by them. If people treat these boundaries seriously that’s great. If you don’t, it might be worthwhile having a serious discussion with them.
In case nothing changes, you might need to consider moving on.
7. Happiness
This might seem obvious but healthy relationships will provide both parties with joy and happiness.
Dopamine and Serotonin are feel-good chemicals, which are the hormones released from our brain when we interact with someone we love.
Do you feel happy spending time with those around you?
Do you look forward to seeing them?
If so, it sounds like you have healthy, fulfilling relationships.
8. Communication
This is another huge sign of a healthy relationship, whether it’s resolving conflicts, vocalizing each others’ desires, or injuring the well-being of one another.
Clear communication is a fundamental sign of a healthy relationship.
In a relationship, there will almost certainly be disagreements from time to time, but what matters the most is how you both work together to resolve the conflict in a transparent and respectful manner.
So, there we have it, 8 signs of a healthy relationship.
Do you relate to any of these signs? There are more signs than just the ones we’ve listed today. So, please let us know if we’ve missed any in the comment section below.
If you don’t relate to all of these signs, that’s completely fine. It takes effort from both sides to create and maintain a healthy connection.
And if you feel as if there’s room for improvement, start with communication. If you liked this article about signs of a healthy relationship, share this with others who might also find this helpful.