Advice on Relationships

Poll

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Author:
Andrea Sheehy

There is evidence that people with a strong support network are healthier. So, how can we tell if our relationship is a healthy one? I think that there are five main areas to look at communication, respect, trust, responsibility and care.

Communication
The best way to tell if your relationship is a healthy one is by asking yourself, "How easy it is to talk to my partner, and how honest can I be with him/her?" Finding the time to talk, being as open as you can, listening to the whole message and being able to work out disagreements are all signs that you are in a healthy relationship.

Respect
A healthy relationship is one in which both partners treat each other with respect. Listening to each other’s views and opinions are ways of showing respect. This includes sharing parental responsibilities, making family decisions together and mutually agreeing on a fair distribution of work.

Even in a healthy relationship arguments will happen because we all come from different family backgrounds and have different family traditions, life experience and opinions. Because we respect each other, we sort out arguments by coming to a solution that we are both happy with.

No one is right or wrong all the time, and in a healthy relationship mistakes are acknowledged and accepted.

Trust
Although trust takes time and effort to build up, it can be destroyed in an instant. Being honest with each other and being able to speak the truth without fear is a crucial part of a successful and healthy relationship.

For a relationship to be healthy, both of you need to believe in it and actively be helping to build it up.

Responsibility
Both partners need to accept responsibility. Each consider various aspects before deciding and acting, protecting each other from harm and not blaming each other when things don’t go right.

Taking Care of Yourself
It is important to remember that a relationship contains two individuals, and both people will be able to take care of themselves in a healthy relationship. Each will have time and space to do the things they want to do, with the support of their partner.

In a healthy relationship the goal is for both partners to win.


About the Author
Copyright Andrea Sheehy 2005. All rights reserved. Andrea Sheehy is qualified and experienecd couple and relationship counsellor. For more information about couple counselling visit her website:http://www.andrea-sheehy.com/

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Improve Relationships... Five Ways to Refresh Your Relationship A relationship is like a delicate rose bush. If you care for it, it will bloom year after year with unsurpassed beauty. If you don't, you might end up with a dull, lifeless entity that is struggling to survive. Below are five ideas to keep your relationship in bloom for years to come. If you are single, read these tips with an eye on what you will want to do in a long-term relationship. If you are in a relationship, pick one or two of the five ideas and integrate them into your relationship now. You will be amazed at how many nice feelings you can create quickly by taking a few simple steps. 1. Make time for your relationship week after week. Take time for each other every single week. For most couples, it is a good idea to have a standing date night. Communicate to your friends, kids, everyone, that this night is reserved especially for the two of you. Keep the date every week, no matter what. Make it your priority. 2. Do fun, pleasurable things together. Sharing fun and pleasure fosters intimacy. Intimacy is what relationships are all about. Share good meals, share play time, share jokes and funny movies, share outdoor activities. What matters most is that the activity is fun and pleasurable for each of you. 3. Do long-term activities as a couple. Do something long-term together. Learn about investments, take dance lessons, refinish the furniture, reach your fitness goals. Do some long-term activity that will enrich and interest each of you, together. By doing this you will stay connected to each other and foster common ground in the relationship. Make sure that this is above and beyond child rearing. 4. Resolve conflict quickly. It is hard to say you are sorry in the heat of an argument. In some ways it is easier to have a fight and go into your separate...