8 Characteristics a Healthy Relationship needs

Whether you’re newly dating someone or already committed, you might ask yourself about what a healthy relationship looks like. If you’re seeking long-term relationships, and let’s be honest, that’s the goal, right?! It’s important to know what makes for a healthy relationship. You may have heard the saying, “love conquers all,” but when you want to build a healthy relationship there’s a recipe to make your relationship last.

What is in a Healthy Relationship? 

If you want to find your perfect match, you need to build a healthy relationship from the very beginning. There are certain characteristics healthy relationships thrive on to create meaningful long-term relationships. Ready to learn how to have healthy relationships that are both fulfilling and long-lasting? Here are 8 important pillars of a healthy relationship.

 

Respect

In a healthy relationship, both partners have mutual respect for one another. Respect in a relationship is reflected in how you treat each other every day. Honor both your and your partner’s boundaries by valuing each other’s feelings and needs. Here are a few pieces of advice about showing respect to build a healthy relationship:

• Listen more than you speak
• Give each other alone time and space when necessary. 
• Always speak kindly to and about each other, no matter how angry you may be. 

Accountability

Personal responsibility and accountability is one of the most important aspects of building long-term relationships. Love isn’t perfect; there will inevitably be challenges along the way. Taking personal responsibility for your actions, and holding yourself accountable when things don’t go according to plan (instead of just blaming), is key to showing your partner emotional support and compassion. If you’re wondering how to have healthy relationships, personal responsibility is a huge part of it. 

Communication in a healthy relationship 

Open and honest communication is another crucial characteristic of happy, healthy, long-term relationships. Being able to communicate your needs, standards, and “non-negotiables” with your partner is key. These talks will allow you both to open up to each other and grow closer because of it. This also includes the willingness to work through difficulties and disagreements. The relationship will suffer without getting ahead of issues and conflicts that may arise.

Trust

All healthy relationships require trust and loyalty. It may take time for you both to trust each other in the early stages of dating. There are many experiences in the past that may cause trust issues such as a cheating ex-partner or being a child of divorce. As you grow together in the relationship, trust will naturally establish itself and strengthen over time. 

Understanding in a healthy relationship

Being able to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses will bring you and your partner closer together. Understand that you each had separate lives before meeting each other. No one comes without baggage, especially later in life. Learning to understand why your partner acts a certain way, and even learning your partner’s love languages, will make any conflict easier to handle in the relationship. Make it a priority to understand and accept them without judgment. 

Compromise

At some point, you’ll have to compromise on both big and small issues throughout your relationship. The ability to compromise with your partner is about finding balance and agreeing on a solution. When you can master this in your relationship, it shows positive growth and that and approach life as a unit, not individuals. 

Fun

Another one of the key characteristics healthy relationships need is plain, old fun! It’s proven that couples who share new experiences and laugh together develop a stronger bond. Relieve stress by having a sense of humor and fun times with your partner. When you make it a priority to enjoy yourselves outside of daily stressors, your relationship will truly thrive. Discuss with your partner what you both like to do and make it a priority to fit those things into your schedule.

Intimacy

In romantic relationships, you must show affection to develop a true love for your partner. Everyone talks about this spark in the beginning but it’s integral to continue to rekindle it throughout the relationship. Don’t be afraid to talk to your partner about their preferences for both physical and emotional intimacy.

Build Healthy and Happy Long Term Relationships with Heart Appeal

Now that you know how to have a healthy relationship, it’s time to put it into practice. Just having shared interests and hobbies with your date has little to do with sustaining a healthy relationship over time. (You’ll also want to avoid falling for these myths that can prevent you from finding true love.) When you can determine what is in a healthy relationship, you have the tools to have success in long-term relationships. 

It’s important to believe in your ability to learn and grow together by practicing the core characteristics healthy relationships need to thrive. Healthy relationships look different depending on the needs of the people in them, so it’s helpful to always be open to discussing these evolving needs with your partner.

Ready to take your dating life to the next level? At Heart Appeal, we offer relationship coaching and a dating community of like-minded singles to guide you along your dating journey. We’re here to help you find a fulfilling and healthy long-term relationship. Get started now and we’ll show you how to find that love you desire.