How to Achieve Healthy Relationships

A healthy relationship is feeling happy and satisfied in a relationship between you and another person. 

Individuals who are in a healthy relationship experience:

-respect                                    -open communication

-trust                                        -shared values

-emotional support                 -care

-understanding                        -both shared and individual interests

People who are in a healthy relationship are less likely to experience physical and mental health problems due to feeling happier and more satisfied with their lives. Being in a healthy relationship can help increase self-worth, give confidence, and brings a support for trying new things. 

How to achieve a healthy relationship?

• Healthy communication: 

-set aside time to speak with one another

-be specific and clear in your communication

-listen to one another and ask for explanation if needed

-let one another finish speaking before giving your point of view

-try not to be defensive

-stay calm and do not attack 

-say sorry when you are wrong

• Respect one another:

-be affectionate 

-show appreciation 

-set time aside to spend with each other

-know and respect each other’s boundaries

• Make the relationship priority 

-keep a healthy balance with work, friends, family

-learn how to say “no” if needed to make time for your relationship

• Develop shared interest

-do not just do all things one person enjoys

-find shared hobbies

-explore new hobbies with one another 

• Find solutions that work for both of you

-conflict is going to occur but accept each of your differences and similarities

-compromise will be required from both individuals at different times

Achieving and maintaining a healthy relationship takes time and effort to achieve but there is no greater pleasure than to be happy and satisfied in your relationship (Healthdirect, 2021). 

People who are in an unhealthy relationship may experience:

• Lack of communication
• Jealousy 
• Dishonesty
• Manipulation
• Disrespect
• Controlling behavior
• Constant fighting 

If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy relationship that turns abusive, please reach out for help (Healthy vs. Unhealthy relationships, 2020). 

National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1.800.799.7233

Georgia’s Domestic Violence Hotline is 1.800.334.2836

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911

Resources 

Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Building and maintaining healthy relationships. healthdirect. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/building-and-maintaining-healthy-relationships

Healthy vs. unhealthy relationships. Counseling Center. (2020, April 15). Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://counseling.sa.ua.edu/resources/healthy-vs-unhealthy-relationships/