21 Ways To Keep Your Relationship Strong, Healthy, & Happy

Everyone needs a support network — and friendships are the bedrock of our social support systems. When you consider yourself the friend of another, you're implicitly offering to be a part of her support network. If you're a no-show too often when you're needed, your value in the network declines at a rate in direct proportion to how great her need might be. If you fail to show up for her, you shouldn't be surprised if she fails to show up for you. Friendships are built on mutuality and reciprocity — be there for her, so that she will be there for you. The research about the importance of gratitude within relationships is striking; it makes us feel happier and more secure with our partners.

This not only nurtures personal growth but also brings new experiences and insights into the relationship. These examples of healthy boundaries in a relationship not only ensure individual comfort and respect but also strengthen the bond between partners. Below are examples of healthy boundaries in a relationship, showcasing how they contribute to a happier and healthier life together. You don't need to ignore or play down the differences between you and your partner.

Time management as a boundary helps maintain a balance between the relationship and individual needs. Healthy boundaries in relationships are like invisible lines that help us feel safe and happy with others. They tell us what is okay and what is not in how we treat each other. “Friendships change, relationships change, circumstances change,” says Dr. Gatchel. “Investing less in some relationships is normal even if you're not clear why you're having negative feelings toward that person.” “Caring for a spouse or a loved one can lead to increased stress, which puts you at risk for depression or physical health problems if the you don't feel supported,” says Dr. Gatchel.

• Now you move forward, leading by example and always nurturing a healthy, loving connection.
• If you're quick to assume the worst and ready to lay down blame, you're not going to be the kind of friend that anyone wants for the long haul.
• When the mood is right, it's important to make time for fun and spontaneity.
• If you feel you have common ground with your partner but just can't put your finger on what's missing, couple's therapy may be a good place to explore your relationship dynamic.

The Relationship Feels Unequal

In short, authenticity means being real and genuine in any circumstance. Expressing those issues in a constructive way is paramount to making sure boundaries for everyone are put in place and respected. And finding ways to mediate conflict together can be helpful in the long run.

During her psychiatry training, Young sought additional training in women's mental health and cognitive behavioral therapy. She has also studied and completed further training in evidence-based lifestyle interventions in mental health care, including stress management, exercise, and nutrition. If you go into a relationship expecting never to fight, then your first fight could very well lead to the end of the relationship. Instead, learn strategies for healthy conflict resolution, and talk about them with the other person beforehand.

“Quality time is essential to a relationship because it nurtures the emotional (and often physical) connection,” says Rebecca Phillips, LPC, who is based in Frisco, Texas. If you're questioning, “How can I make my relationship happy? ” know that happy relationships aren't attributed to luck. It takes continual effort and commitment from all parties to want to be together. Mutual respect is at the very core of enduring relationships. It confers dignity, honor, and high worth to the recipient.

Consent is an agreement between two people, given through words or actions, that they are both clearly and enthusiastically willing to engage in sexual activity. Silence or lack of resistance does not count as consent. Some people aren't able to give consent, such as individuals who are drunk, sleeping or unconscious, and some people with intellectual disabilities. Consent involves active communication, and knowing that one person always has to right to withdraw consent. This means that someone can consent to one activity (kissing) but not consent to another (sex).

However, what makes them stand strong is the ability to resolve it through understanding and communication. Being friends with your partner is the ultimate fulfillment you need to have a healthy relationship, habits, and life. You can tell each other things freely and come up with solutions together.

Find Healthy Ways To Manage Stress

Reducing time online encourages direct communication, either in person, by phone, or on video, which can often be far less contentious than words spoken from behind a keyboard, such as in text messages. A stress-inducing relationship can be one with a partner, a family member, a friend, or a professional colleague. People may find themselves at odds with others for many reasons. The pandemic and political polarization that has occurred in recent years may be exacerbating factors for some, says Dr. Gatchel. Relationship stress is often particularly challenging for people who are in a role as caretaker for a child, ailing adult relative, or partner.

The concept of showing appreciation, however, can be challenging. Saying “thank you” every 5 minutes when your partner does something can feel disingenuous. Maybe you've been told in the past you're quick to make accusations. Reflecting on that during conversation can help you become aware of how you're reacting.

Even if the whole world is against you, knowing someone will go all out for you is the best feeling. It encourages you to put more effort into creating a better life and good relationship habits. Since you are from different backgrounds, it's inevitable to avoid stepping on each other's toes. Indeed, the position of a friend differs from that of a romantic partner.

Who you are as an individual is what attracted you together in the first place. While this may be true in some areas of science, it isn't always a sound relationship standard. You may need to explore alternative methods if you don't feel you both communicate effectively when emotions elevate. Communicating isn't as simple as just talking about things, however. To maintain love in a relationship, you may want to consider these eight aspects.

When this happens, and you find someone you want to enter a relationship with, longevity isn't something that's promised. Finding that special someone who complements your beliefs, goals, and quirks isn't something that happens every day. When you allow all foods into your diet, you're better able to control your intake, as you know these foods are always available.

However, while positive relationships can boost health, the opposite is often true when it comes to problematic relationships. Chronic emotional stress may put you at higher risk for a number of health problems. “Having nurturing relationships is protective of mental health and overall brain health,” says Dr. Jennifer Gatchel, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

This is something that many people have been unable to do during the pandemic. If you do determine that a relationship is detrimental, that doesn't mean you necessarily have to cut ties with the person, but you will need to make some changes. “If you recognize those signs in yourself, it's a red flag to take a closer look,” she says. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's the importance of social ties and human connections. Not only do they improve your emotional well-being, but they can bring physical benefits. Improving a connection and finding what works for both of you is a beautiful thing.

Respect your friends' boundaries as well as their stories. Some friends may have a difficult SoulfulDate time letting people get close to them for fear of being hurt. Don't crowd your friends — give them the space they need to feel comfortable, and let the relationship deepen over time.