Whether we like it or not from the minute we are born we are involved in relationships with others, whether that be a mother, a father, a sibling, a friend, or a romantic partner. Relationships can be difficult to manage at times and might even become toxic. One might be wondering, what are healthy relationships and what do they look like? This blog post will talk more about this very topic. 

Healthy relationships are relationships that individuals have with one another person that brings each person joy and happiness most of the time. These relationships should be equal in balance (What do healthy relationships look like, 2022). Meaning that each person in the relationship has an equal amount of say and freedom.  Healthy relationships take the work of both parties involved. Not one person should be more in power or put in more effort than the other. This means that partners need to compromise and come together to build a stronger relationship. The key components of healthy relationships are:

1. Respect: partners must respect one another on all levels to form a healthy relationship. This might look like being open to what the other is saying, thinking, or feeling and allowing them the space to do so. Respect for some individuals is earned over time. That is why it is important to be authentically you. Allow the other person to see who you are. Respect must be given by both partners. That means that both partners need to have mutual respect, even if it is on a basic level. Another way to express respect in relationships is by upholding the other person’s boundaries.

2. Boundaries: boundaries are rules and or lines that are set by each partner on what they think is acceptable behavior and what is not. Keeping firm boundaries with each partner is a form of having order and structure in the relationship. These boundaries need to be clearly communicated to the other partner.

3. Open Communication: keeping a line of open communication in relationships is vital. This might look like telling your partner what you are thinking or how you are feeling. Not communicating your wants, needs, or plans can cause unwarranted conflict or resentment. Having those open lines of communication allows each partner to be vulnerable with the other, which in turn builds trust.

4. Trust: trust is another very important topic in relationships. One must feel comfortable enough with the other person to know that they will not try to intentionally hurt them or spill their confidential information to others. This might look like allowing your partner to help you work on a project or to tell them something you haven’t before. If there is no trust in the relationship, then the intimacy and compassion between partners cannot grow.

5. Honesty: Being honest with your partner can be very difficult. Especially if you know that the truth might hurt their feelings. However, being honest lends itself to having respect for your partner and honoring the open lines of communication. Meaning that if the truth is not said, then it can hurt or destroy the respect, open communication, and boundaries you have built with your partner.

6. Consent: Consent in relationships truly embodies all the points we have covered thus far. From respecting one another and building boundaries, knowing what your partner agrees to and does not agree to is very important when respecting that person and building a healthy relationship. Consent does not just involve sexual experiences it can also encompass touching some physically (not sexual in nature), meeting each other’s family, going somewhere.

Although these guidelines for healthy relationships are written in a way that applies more to romantic relationships, these concepts of healthy relationships apply to all kinds of relationships. Whether it be with friends, parents, siblings, or extended family members healthy relationships can be made and maintained with anyone in your life. If you are not sure if you are having a healthy relationship with someone, take a minute to thinks about these guidelines. Are there boundaries in this relationship? Are you being respected? Are there lines of healthy communication? If not maybe it is time to sit down and make these ideas a reality or maybe seek further help from a professional. 

 By Bailey McConnell, MHCI

Resources

Roffey, S. (2017). Learning healthy relationships. In Positive Psychology Interventions in 

Practice (pp. 163-181). Springer, Cham.

What do healthy relationships look like? New York State. (2022, February 9). Retrieved from https://www.ny.gov/teen-dating-violence-awareness-and-prevention/what-does-healthy-relationship-look 

Book an appointment with Bailey McConnell, MHCI:

https://SouthTampaTherapyBOOKAPPT.as.me/BaileyMcConnellMFTI