What makes a healthy relationship?

What will you do if someday you find yourself in an uninhabited place or a deserted island?

Have you ever experienced loneliness?

Relationships – with your spouse or parents or children or friends or your siblings – will never make you feel lonely. Infact relationships give you the sense of self-esteem, enhance your emotional and mental health. In other words, they make you feel complete and live a better life.

According to a psychology professor Arthur Aron, PhD, director of the Interpersonal Relationships Laboratory at New York’s Stony Brook University, “Relationships are — not surprisingly — enormously important for health, and there are lots of studies on the biological processes that account for the link between relationships and health.”

The researchers believe that the kind of relationships we share with the people around, have a great effect on our physical health. The support we get from our parents and friends keeps us mentally fit. And if our mind is fit and healthy, our body is also.

Some relationships are more successful than others. Have you ever tried to figure out why? What makes for a good relationship? What steps can you take to make your relationship better? Let’s have a look at some of them:

1. Maintain your mental well-being

One of the significant aspects of a good relationship is the mental health of the people involved in a relationship. If you feel that you are suffering from insecurity or depression or any other similar problem – do consult a health professional. It affects not only you but also your relationships. A friend of mine faced a similar situation. Being in depression for a long time had a great impact not only on his health but also his relationships. So never neglect such a situation.

Another important thing is that if someone around you is having a tough time, just be patient and try to be understanding. The person might be offensive for a while but at the end of the day things will be fine.

2. Create a support system

Do you know what the key ingredient of a great relationship is? It is SUPPORT of our friends and family members. This is the support system that is always there for you. Go and ask for their help and they are ready for you. What is required to build such a relationship is your effort and attention. The more you put in, the more you get.

3. Keep the lines of communication open

The relationships are bound to have conflicts. But the problem is that people don’t know how to deal with them. The best solution is to communicate. Lack of communication leads to stress and affects our mental and physical health.

Positive interactions lead to satisfying relationships. So open your heart out and just sort out the problem.

4. Be careful of unhealthy relationships

A perfect relationship all the time is just a fantasy. No doubt, a good relationship makes you feel secured and happy. It gives you a sense of freedom. But if you feel that you are in a kind of relationship where you are controlled by the other person or feel fearful, watch out. Such unhealthy relationships can have a great impact on you.

5. Make healthy boundaries

A healthy and sound relationship can also be achieved by creating limitations. This gives a better understanding of what your partner wants from this relationship. Boundaries don’t mean that you are being imprisoned. It does not mean suspicion or distrust – it tells you about what makes you comfortable and what you expect from the relationship or what you want to avoid.

At the same time, a healthy boundary doesn’t mean that:

• You cannot go out with your friends without your boyfriend or girlfriend
• Cannot indulge in your hobbies
• You have to share passwords with your partner

Tips for a healthy love relationship:

• Never postpone your romance for a special occasion. There is no such thing as “right” time. Make everyday special.
• Never take a back seat in a relationship. Don’t wait for your partner to initiate.
• Don’t hesitate and be upfront – tell your partner what you want.
• Don’t look at the bigger picture. Think what I can do today to show my love.
• Let your partner know about your fantasies and desires.

A boost for a Healthy Relationship

A booster, now and then, keeps the relationship going. If you feel the connection missing between you and your partner or feel that the relationship has gone stale – give it a boost. Look for simple things that you both enjoy together – go for a drive, a movie or a walk, plan a romantic date.

Spend time with people you love. Take time out from your busy schedule and enjoy being YOU!

What do you feel? Are you in a healthy relationship?