Tips on How to Maintain Happy and Healthy Relationships

Figuring out the right balance in relationships is a seemingly daunting task. In fact, fear of not finding that balance is a big reason that people are afraid of taking the leap. There is no foolproof “trick” to striking the right balance to a happy and healthy relationship, but there are steps you can take to set you on the right path to a happy life together.

• Open communication
• Establish boundaries
• Accept each other
• Respect privacy
• Support each other
• Remember to compromise

These are just some of the factors of relationships, but keeping these in mind will be invaluable to establishing and securing a strong, healthy relationship with your significant other, as well as with your friends and loved ones. 

Open Communication

You hear this everywhere, but it really is true: communication is the number one most important aspect of a relationship. There can be no happy or healthy relationship without communication. Always check in with each other, especially if you feel there is some kind of problem. Assuring that you are on the same page can only boost your relationship in the long run.

Talking to each other is important. Do not hold anything in when something is bothering you. Speak to your partner, friend, or loved one when they bug you or hurt your feelings, or when you feel as though you have done something to hurt them. Even if this is something difficult to do, like asking your partner to get an STD check, it’s necessary that you are open with each other about your worries and expectations.

Talking is the best, healthiest way to work out any issues and can also prevent further issues. Communication truly is key!

Establish Boundaries

Though we may love someone, we all need time to ourselves to just be alone. Furthermore, there are some things in life that we feel are “lines” that cannot be crossed. These are all boundaries that need to be discussed with your partner. Once these boundaries are established, follow through. You will find yourself incredibly happy in the time you do spend with your loved ones.

Establishing boundaries can also entail going out with your friends and without your partner sometimes. Allowing time apart will let you enjoy your time together even more. Participate in hobbies that you enjoy, alone or with friends. Just continue to be your individual self and allow yourself and your partner to grow both as a unit and as individuals.

Accept Each Other

Everyone is an individual. When you enter a relationship, you are agreeing to fully accept who your partner is, flaws and all. Sure, you want to look your best with by concealing your skin blemishes, but that doesn’t mean that you should let this be the reason that your partner doesn’t accept you or vice versa. Acknowledge that you are individuals and love your partner through the things they may not love about themselves.

Furthermore, do not try to force your partner to change or to mold into whatever you think they should be. They are who they are, just as you are who you are. Allow yourselves to grow together as individuals and as a couple, and love them exactly as they are.

Respect Privacy

Privacy is important in a relationship, both between each other and between your relationship and the outside world. Determine what you, as a couple, are okay with sharing with the world and what stays between the two of you. This is especially key in a society so dependent on social media. Respecting your privacy as a couple is special and necessary for a trusting, open relationship. Sometimes it’s only natural that your partner might want some alone time to play recreational online gambling. Let them. They should be able to do what they want sometimes, even if it means you have to find something to do on your own.

You also need to respect your partner’s privacy, as they should respect yours. You should never feel pressured to share your passwords with each other unless you voluntarily choose to do so. You should have your own private space of some kind, even if it is something as simple as a journal or your texts to your friends.

Also, if there is something your partner is not comfortable telling you, trust them enough to respect their privacy. At the same time, reassure them that they can trust you.

Support Each Other

Being each other’s support system is a huge component of any happy relationship. Feeling like your partner is behind you in your decisions and accomplishments (as well as your failures) establishes trust and affection between each other. Whether it’s buying a new hiking wardrobe so you can support their journey to fitness, or get into a sport or hobby that they are passionate about, you want to show you really care by acting on your supportive intentions.

This is especially important if your partner is struggling with something major in life, like a substance abuse problem. Rather than judge him or her, you want to support them when they are joining a drug or alcohol detox facility, or when they are detoxing with Kratom and other natural substances.

Whatever happens, make sure that your partner knows that you are there to support them. In a healthy relationship, they will support you too.

Remember to Compromise

Disagreements will happen in any relationship. The important thing, though, is the art of compromise. Let’s say that you are disagreeing about whether to buy a firm or soft mattress. It seems like that’s something you don’t want to budge on, but if you work together, you’ll be able to find a mattress that is not too soft and not too firm but just right. Finding a middle ground between you and your partner will assure that you will be able to maintain a healthy relationship, where disagreements will not tear your trust apart. Compromise where you can, and your partner should do the same. 

Love Each Other

This one is, of course, a no-brainer. A healthy relationship will be a loving one of trust and respect. These steps will help you find that right balance for a happy and healthy life together.