Relationships are a necessary part of life. They improve our lives and boost our enjoyment of life. However, relationships can cause discomfort, and sometimes even cause harm.
What makes a relationship healthy is respectful communication that creates trust, openness and intimacy. In fact, effective communication allows individuals to resolve conflicts, solve issues and increase their contribution to build up on the strength of their relationship. In addition, in healthy relationship individuals should be able to maintain their freedom and identity.
This means individuals maintain their own values while respecting their partner’s values mutually. A healthy relationship provides individuals growth and satisfaction. In addition, establishing healthy boundaries is an important part of healthy relationships.
According to “Grade 12 Active Healthy Lifestyles, 2009”, some important characteristics of a healthy relationship include closeness which means intimacy, trust and supportiveness during stressful times and sharing your feelings easily. You are able to share your values, common interests, experiences, and respect differences in each other.
You know about communication skills and you are open to listen to each other without blaming or judging. You use respectful language and understand your partner’s needs and you are ready to compromise. You can laugh together and enjoy of being together. Finally, you care about each other and show your affection unconditionally.
While in an unhealthy relationships, individuals neglect themselves or their partners’ needs or feelings. They do not feel free to express disagreement and feel pressure to change themselves to change whom they are to make their partner happy. In unhealthy relationships, individuals feel obligated to have sex or may refuse to use safer sex methods. There is no privacy and they feel forced to share everything with the other person. There can be verbal, emotional or physical violence during an argument. There is no equality in the relationship and one or both partners attempt to control or manipulate each other. There is lack of boundaries and respectful communication. (UW-Seattle Hall Health Center).
If you are experiencing some of these negative characteristics in your relationship, it is time to work on it. Talking to a counselor or mental health provider can help you to learn how to improve your strengths and values. Recognizing your values provides an opportunity to set healthy boundaries that will help you to learn how to be more assertive in your relationships.
Empowerment and positive self-esteem comes out of self-awareness that includes being aware of both your strengths and weaknesses.
