Have you ever been in a relationship that just didn’t feel right? You know, the kind where you’re constantly on edge and can’t seem to do anything right? Or maybe it’s the complete opposite and you’re not putting in enough effort, and as a result the relationship is falling apart. Whatever the case may be, making your relationship work takes effort. But don’t worry, I’m here to help! Here are 7 tips for building a healthy relationship.
Understand yourself and your needs
If you’re like most people, you probably want to find a partner who will understand and love you for who you are. But before you can find someone who meets all your needs, it’s important to understand what those needs are. By taking the time to get to know yourself, you can develop a better sense of what you’re looking for in a relationship. That self-awareness will help you build healthier, more satisfying relationships with the people you care about. It’s the first step on the road to building lasting relationships.
Communicate openly with your partner and be honest about what you want
Most of us know that communication is key to a successful long-term relationship. If you want to build a healthy relationship with your partner, it’s important to be open and honest about what you’re thinking and feeling. That doesn’t mean that you have to share every little thought that pops into your head, but it does mean being willing to talk about the big stuff. What do you want out of life? What are your hopes and dreams? What makes you happy? When you’re able to openly communicate with your partner, it helps to create a deeper level of understanding and intimacy. And let’s be honest, it also makes for a lot less drama. Good communication is the foundation that everything else is built on.
Don’t try to change your partner
It’s important to accept them for who they are instead of who you want them to be. We all have our own quirks and idiosyncrasies, and it’s these imperfections that make us unique and special. Trying to change your partner is not only futile, but it can also be damaging to the relationship. Instead of seeing the person you love, you’ll start to see someone who needs to be fixed. Over time, this can lead to resentment and anger. So instead, focus on what you love about them. Accept their faults and imperfections and encourage them to do the same for you. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they do or say, but it does mean respecting their thoughts, feelings, and choices. This goes a long way in building a strong, healthy relationship.
Make compromises when necessary – neither of you are perfect, so don’t expect to always agree on everything
No relationship is perfect, and even the healthiest relationships require effort and compromise from both partners. That doesn’t mean that you should always cave to your partner’s demands, but it does mean that both of you should be willing to bend on some things in order to keep the peace. For example, maybe your partner wants to watch a movie that you’re not particularly interested in, but it’s not a big deal to give in and watch it with them. Small compromises like this can go a long way towards keeping your relationship happy and healthy. Of course, there are also times when it’s important to stand your ground and refuse to compromise. If your partner is asking you to do something that goes against your values, then it’s important to stand up for yourself and assert what you believe in. Ultimately, a healthy relationship requires give-and-take from both partners, and the ability to know when to compromise and when to hold firm.
Don’t be afraid to fight – but make sure to do it respectfully
Relationships can be tough. After all, two people are trying to merge their lives together, and that can be messy. But even though fighting is inevitable, it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, fighting can actually be good for your relationship. It can help you air out your grievances and come up with solutions as a team. But of course, there is a right way and a wrong way to fight. Yelling, name-calling, and personal attacks are all examples of unhealthy fighting. If you want to have a healthy relationship, you need to fight respectfully. That means listening to each other, staying calm, focusing on the issue at hand, and being willing to compromise. As long as you do it the right way, fighting can actually help your relationship grow stronger.
Have patience and don’t give up on each other easily
All couples go through ups and downs, and it can be difficult to keep the passion alive after years (or even decades) of being together. An important key to maintaining a healthy relationship is patience. Just as it takes time to grow a garden or build a house, it takes time to build a strong relationship. You’re not always going to agree with each other and there are going to be times when you drive each other crazy. If you and your partner are patient with each other, you will be able to weather the storms and come out stronger on the other side. When times are tough, remember why you fell in love in the first place and keep fighting for your relationship.
Make time for each other, even when life gets busy
Any relationship takes work, but sometimes it can be especially challenging to make time for each other when life gets busy. Work schedules, children, and other commitments can easily get in the way of quality time together. However, it is important to remember that relationships need to be nurtured in order to stay healthy. Just like any other relationship, your romantic relationship will suffer if you don’t invest time and energy in it. Try setting aside at least 30 minutes per day to just talk or be together. Some other ideas are scheduling regular date nights, sending a flirty text or leave a love note for your partner. These small gestures can go a long way towards keeping the spark alive in your relationship.
So, there you have it. Our guide to building a healthy relationship that will last. Of course, every couple is different, and you may need to make some adjustments depending on your own needs and wants, but the principles we’ve outlined here should help get you started on the right track. Relationships are hard work, but if you put in the effort, they can also be incredibly rewarding.
If you need additional help, you can find us on our website at https://thattherapyspace.com/, by phone at (509) 800-7129, or email at [email protected]. We are located in Liberty Lake, Washington, just minutes from Spokane, WA and Coeur D’ Alene, ID.