6 Simple Ways to Build a Healthy Relationship

Relationships can either make or break you. So if you’re wondering, “Am I in a healthy relationship,” this is for you.

Often, couples associate healthy relationships with perfection. However, the feeling that your relationship isn’t perfect can make you question your connection with your partner.

So, the million-dollar question is: how to build a healthy relationship?

1. Talking and listening are equal priorities in the relationship

When you and your partner are at odds, actively listening is a valuable skill to master in building a healthy relationship. You and your partner should have equal opportunities to be heard and understood, especially during conflict.

The last thing you want is for your conversation to develop into an argument due to miscommunication. Many arguments in a relationship can be avoided if both people learn to listen without passing judgment.

By listening, you can reduce the tension and reestablish your connection. Open communication is the key to building healthy relationships.

2. Despite differences, developing trust with your partner is essential

Every couple needs to prioritize building trust for a long-lasting relationship.

Even if you and your partner disagree on issues, the goal is to have one another’s best interests in mind.

If you start to doubt your partner’s motives, you’ll need to evaluate the level of trust you feel within the partnership. This could be a sign that the relationship could be heading down an unhealthy path.

Don’t forget to remain respectful to your partner and treat them how you would like to be treated. Being aggressive or passive-aggressive won’t help the relationship. Instead, work on being assertive and speaking up about your needs around trust.

3. Understanding and supporting one another’s needs

One-sided relationships typically occur when your needs are ignored while the other spouse’s needs are addressed.

You’ll know you’re in a one-sided relationship if you’re doing the majority on your own most of the time. Imagine managing everything, including goal setting, home duties, and making plans.

In other words, you feel you are putting a lot of effort into the relationship while the other partner simply experiences its benefits.

It can be exhausting to do everything on your own. But, if that’s what’s happening in your relationship, it’s time to talk with your partner, so you can figure out how to divide the load.

Another way to show support is by standing by your partner’s side when they’re having a bad day. Offer support by listening to what they have gone through or give them a big hug to help them feel better.

Be with your other half in times of difficulty and help them feel your presence and support.

4. Building both emotional and physical intimacy

Did you know that one of the common reasons why relationships fail is having little or no intimacy? Also, many couples are unwilling to admit a lack of emotional and physical intimacy.

Long-term couples often experience this because they are so used to being around one another and assume that the other person will always be understanding. As a result, they take one another for granted. 

In some circumstances, partners who have moved past the “honeymoon phase” forget that physical touch is a form of love language. They also lose the chance to be physically intimate with their spouses because they experience stress with their jobs, parenting, dealing with family members, or other activities.

Couples who are in a healthy relationship agree that working on their emotional and physical intimacy is essential in their relationship. Getting away from the daily grind and relieving stress by spending quality time together is a great way to reconnect.

5. Providing a safe, secure, and well-supported relationship

Both partners must be fully committed for a relationship to work. Your partner must know how much you love and care for them. You also need to make them feel safe in the relationship for it to grow and succeed.

Feeling insecure in a relationship will cause difficulties and frustration. Improving your confidence in yourself and your relationship is an excellent place to start.

Depending on one another, too much can lead to codependency within the relationship. One or both partners can experience this, leading them to lose touch with what they want, need, and desire, focusing solely on their partner’s needs instead.

The goal is for both of you to support one another in a healthy and equal way.

6. Continuing the love with more engaging, playful, and exciting activities

Do you recall what made spending time with your spouse exciting in the past, such as a shared activity, a destination you had in mind, or simply just having deep conversations?

What led you to stop enjoying these times? Don’t let stress, schedules, work, and daily commitments get in the way of prioritizing your relationship.

It’s easy to let life happen, and one day blends into the next. However, you can make today different by committing to showing up as your healthiest self in the relationship. Try these six strategies to build the relationship you both deserve.