What Defines A Healthy Relationship

We all look forward to being in a healthy relationship one day, but do we know what a “healthy” relationship looks like?

Let’s take a look:

1. Honesty

By far the most important ingredient of a healthy relationship is honesty. All good relationships (romantic and non-romantic) are built on honesty.

If you find yourself feeling the need to hide things from your partner because they may not understand you, then there’s a problem.

Your partner may not always understand what you’re saying, but you should expect them to be considerate, even when they aren’t happy about what you’ve said.

When you can share the good, the bad, and the ugly with your partner knowing that they aren’t going to overreact, then you’re in a healthy relationship.

2. Mutual Respect

Respect is the foundation of all relationships. In a relationship with mutual respect, your partner values your opinions, beliefs, and values no matter how different they may be from theirs. If your partner compliments you, gives you complete support in your personal and professional life, they respect you.

Found someone like that? Hold on to them!

3. Equality

Both partners should have equal say and should put in equal amounts of effort in a relationship. In a healthy relationship, you feel heard and don’t think twice about sharing your point of view.

Whenever you have to make a big decision (what school to send your kids, which house to buy, where to go on vacation, etc.) you make them together; it’s not always one person who calls the shots.

4. Communication

Every relationship has problems, but in healthy relationships, both partners communicate and work together to find solutions.

In a healthy relationship, you should be able to talk to your partner about anything, without the fear of being judged for your actions and opinions.  Even if you’ve made a mistake that may cause disappointment, you know that your partner wouldn’t react unreasonably.

5. Take Responsibility

When partners fail to take responsibility for their mistakes, things go sour really quickly. A relationship is healthy when both individuals take responsibility for the mistakes they’ve made. Only when someone takes responsibility for their actions can they take steps to fix them.

If you’re having trouble in your relationship, consider working with a relationship counselor to find effective solutions to your problems.

Azizeh Rezaiyan is a marriage counselor at Silicon Valley Marriage Counseling based in Palo Alto in the Bay Area. She specializes in couple’s counselling, family meditation, anxiety treatments, and other psychotherapy treatments.

Call (650) 206-9973 to book an appointment.