Healthy Relationships

Healthy Relationships

So what are some characteristics of a healthy relationship?

• Respect. Do you have different opinions on some topics? Can your friend or partner disagree with you, but respect your opinion?
• Trust. Do you trust your partner to keep your confidence, and does your partner trust you to do the same?
• Acceptance. This means that you do not expect your partner to change their personalities or expect them to be someone they're not.
• Closeness and apartness. Are you comfortable enough with yourself to be alone? Are you comfortable enough with yourself to share yourself with someone else? Do you and your partner have outside interests and friends?
• Communication. Do you feel like you can talk so your partner will listen? Do you know what it is to be a good listener? Use I-statements rather than you-statements. I-statements allow for the speaker to take ownership of his/her feelings and not place blame on the other person. For example, try "I feel as though I'm not being heard" vs. "You never listen to me."

 Unhealthy Relationships

It can be difficult to recognize signs of an unhealthy relationship.

• You feel pressured to do things you do not want to do (dangerous activities, sexual activities that you're not comfortable with, etc.)
• You feel controlled by your partner (They want to know where you are, who you’re with, limit time with other people).
• You feel like you have to change who you are to be with this person.
• You feel isolated from other friends and family.
• Something just doesn't seem right. Trust your instincts - they’re usually right.