Everyone’s relationship is unique, and people come together for many different reasons. But there are some things that good relationships have in common. Knowing the basic principles of healthy relationships helps keep them meaningful, fulfilling, and exciting in both happy times and sad. I am married for 2 years now and I must admit that our relationship is not flawless. It’s important to recognize that there are ups and downs in every relationship; you won’t always be on the same page. However, let me share these 13 Ways to Keep your Relationship Healthy and Happy:
1. Love and accept each other.
Love means that you accept a person with all their failures, stupidities, ugly points, etc. You don't need someone who can complete you; you need someone who can accept you completely. "Learn to love with all your heart and accept the unlovable side of others. For anyone can love a rose, but it takes a great heart to include the thorns."
2. Keep your promises and tell the truth.
Don't make a promise that you can't keep. It's better to hurt your lover with the truth than to comfort him/her with a lie.
3. Never stop communicating.
Relationships cannot grow without the proper amount of communication. Good communication can make you feel connected, understood, appreciated and more loved. Even if you are in a long distance relationship, distance isn't a big factor; communication is.
4. Never talk about break-ups.
Maybe you're just angry and initiating break-ups for the wrong reasons. When times get tough, it’s easy for the mind to drift to fantasyland and make conclusions. Don’t assume your current state of unhappiness is solely the fault of the relationship.
5. Never say "it's okay" even if it's not.
Conflict is inevitable in any relationship, but to keep a relationship strong, both people need to feel they’ve been heard. The goal is not to win but to resolve the conflict with respect and love. Don't try to be a hypocrite to your partner. Just say what you have in mind. If it's not okay, then it's not. Actually, he/she may comfort or find ways to make you feel okay.
6. Forget about pride.
Build a relationship that works with love than fight with pride. "Apologizing doesn't always mean you're wrong. At times, you do it because you value the relationship and you love the person more than your pride."
7. If you say sorry, mean it.
You can say sorry a million times, but if you're not going to prove or mean those things, then don't say anything at all. If you can't show it, your words don't mean a thing.
8. Avoid talking about your ex's.
Not every relationship is a good fit, but don’t sabotage a potentially awesome relationship by insisting on talking about an ex – it’s not worth it!
9. Don't compare your past to your present.
If we are comparing our partner to the “last one,” we are not appreciating the present, thereby restricting joy. Comparing your past to your present hurts your growth with your current partner. Unless you begin to live in the present and experience new levels of intimacy with your current partner, your relationship will never reach its full potential.
10. Give and take process.
Healthy relationships are a give and take process. There can’t be more giving than there is taking nor can there be more taking than there is giving. Learn how to make compromises, how to accept flaws and how to work together.
11. Be aware of his/her feelings.
Acknowledge the emotions of your lover, being thoughtful and considerate of his/her feelings will help you understand each other.
12. Forgive without punishing.
Sometimes, forgiveness isn’t easy. Betrayal and abuse can hurt (both emotionally and physically), which can cause us to struggle with true forgiveness. However, forgiveness is not for the one who hurt you; it is for you.
13. Speak without accusing / Answer without arguing.
Stop treating your fights like wars. It's easy to get caught up in anger and say things you don't mean in the heat of the moment, but that doesn't make it okay. Try to understand the issue; try to understand each other and fight the problem together.
Change is inevitable in life, and it will happen whether you go with it or fight it. Flexibility is essential to adapt to the change that is always taking place in any relationship, and it allows you to grow together through both the good times and the bad.
Share your thoughts, leave a comment below. Stay positive and blessed!
