Top 10 traits of a healthy relationship
Singer Jason Derulo said it best: “Everyone is looking for love.”
After 54 years on this earth, I’ve been there. I’ve had relationships both good and bad, marriage counseling, and therefore I have built up a personal reservoir of information regarding how to navigate healthy relationships. And granted, while I am not a license holding professional in this arena, these tips have helped to serve me through the years.
A vital first is to screen and select our potential mates carefully. The following are traits that will contribute to and enhance connection, along with relationship red and green flags.
Trust:
Trust allows both partners to feel safe and secure, reduces jealousy and anxiety, enhances emotional intimacy, and decreases the need for constant reassurance, thereby creating a strong foundation for emotional intimacy.
Communication:
Open, honest communication allows partners to express needs, feelings, and concerns without fear of judgment; helps prevent misunderstandings; and strengthens problem-solving as a team.
Respect:
Respect among partners helps to ensure that boundaries, opinions, and individuality are honored; encourages equality; and prevents manipulation, abuse, or control in the relationship.
Emotional Support:
Being able to rely on your partner during stressful or challenging circumstances creates security and strengthens the emotional bond. Feeling supported boosts mental and emotional well-being.
Healthy Conflict Resolution:
Disagreements are normal, but resolving them respectfully without blame, insults, and unfair fighting shows maturity and fosters growth in the relationship.
Shared Values & Goals:
Aligning on important life goals like family, finances, or lifestyle helps prevent future conflicts and strengthens the partnership, thereby also ensuring long-term compatibility.
Independence:
Maintaining individuality and personal interests prevents codependency and allows each partner to grow personally, which enriches the relationship.
Affection & Appreciation:
Regular expressions of love, gratitude, and affection strengthen the emotional connection and make both partners feel valued and cherished.
Mutual Effort:
Both partners contribute actively to the relationship from planning quality time and resolving issues to balancing childcare and household duties. Mutual/equal efforts help to prevent resentment.
Forgiveness & Compassion:
Everyone makes mistakes. However, being able to forgive and showing your partner empathy can promote relationship resilience and increase emotional safety and eventually long-term satisfaction in the relationship.
By Sagal Sadiq
Singer Jason Derulo said it best: “Everyone is looking for love.”
After 54 years on this earth, I’ve been there. I’ve had relationships both good and bad, marriage counseling, and therefore I have built up a personal reservoir of information regarding how to navigate healthy relationships. And granted, while I am not a license holding professional in this arena, these tips have helped to serve me through the years.
A vital first is to screen and select our potential mates carefully. The following are traits that will contribute to and enhance connection, along with relationship red and green flags.
Red Flags
- Controlling behavior.
- Lack of communication or dishonesty.
- Disrespect or belittling.
“If you are always doubting the person because you feel you can’t trust them, there’s something not cohesive in your relationship.” ~Elizabeth Downs, Facility C
“Whenever we would be out walking together, my girlfriend would be watching my eyes to see who I was looking at, clearly she didn’t trust me.” ~Cynthia Vargas, Facility C
“Any calling you out your name, condescending behavior, attempting to manage where you go and who you go with, and also, hiding important information.” ~Tamekca Walker, Facility C
Green Flags
- Being reliable. Keeping promises.
- Respectful of boundaries.
- Celebrating your partner’s successes.
“Respecting each other’s boundaries, adhering to agreements.” ~Crystal St. Mary, Facility C
“Compassionate, understanding and accepting.” ~Milani Larrea, Facility C
“Feeling safe in expressing your emotions, supporting each other’s individuality.” ~Leylani Simmons, Facility C
