Habits of couples in healthy relationship |
As teenagers we are exposed to a multitude of relationships - some not as healthy as others - through media and even real life examples. It is important to be aware of what truly makes a healthy relationship and it is important to be aware that what makes for a healthy romantic relationship can differ from couple to couple - what another couple may do may not necessarily be what you and your partner are comfortable doing. However there are some attributes that are universal to all couples 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 relationship.
Communication Communication is key. 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 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. 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 Although it is very crucial to spend time together, spending time apart is equally as important. 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 Different couples have different and unique ways of 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. It is important that you are attending to your partner’s love language consistently and telling each other makes you feel loved and special helping both of you stay connected. 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. Sex Although not the only aspect, sex is an important part of cultivating a flourishing relationship. Sex is not just about the intermingling of juices and the physical contact but it is rather a more energetic and powerful form of intimacy that connects two people in a ways that few other things can. However, it is also important to be aware that both of you may not be on the same page as each other in terms of that is acceptable and what isn't - it is important to talk about these things and be clear on them. In Summary, while in a healthy relationship you:
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