Have you ever wondered what might be some healthy relationship characteristics and whether or not they are present between you and your significant other? When you begin a new relationship or even when you've been in one for some time, you might find yourself wondering from time to time whether or not the love between the two of you truly has the potential to last a lifetime.
But, how can you tell? Here are 4 characteristics of a healthy relationship: 1.
Quality Time Together While it should go without saying, in order for a relationship to thrive, partners need to spend plenty of quality time together.
Often times, when a relationship has passed its initial "honeymoon phase," both partners tend to get so used to their lives with their partners that they begin to overlook the need to spend time with one another amidst the distractions of their careers, children, etc.
in order to keep the love in the relationship alive.
In other cases, it may just seem impractical to be able to share any healthy amount of time with your loved one simply because the demands of day-to-day life consistently get in the way.
Nonetheless, the ability, and perhaps more importantly, the willingness of both partners to make time for one another is vital to the success of the relationship in the long run.
You may be tired when you get home from your busy day at work, but even if those few minutes before or after dinner is all the two of you have, be sure to make every effort to spend those precious minutes together.
2.
Quality Time Apart While it may seem contradictory of the our first of our healthy relationship characteristics, quality time apart is every bit as important for a couple as time spent together.
While the amount of time apart generally only needs to be a fraction of the time spent together, it is no less vital to the health of the relationship.
Time to one's self allows you to enjoy the freedom to pursue the goals and hobbies that are important to you or that may not be of interest to your partner while allowing him or her to enjoy the same.
What's important here is that you and your partner are willing and able to agree to and spend at least some level of time apart without either partner feeling slighted or unloved by the other's wanting to have time to him or herself.
3.
Proper Communication Nothing kills more relationships than false assumptions.
And, assumptions usually are derived from the lack of proper communication.
If you've ever been in a relatively new relationship where you weren't exactly looking for a committed relationship while the man or woman you were "casually" dating was, then you may already know where I am going with this.
He or she assumed that you felt the same way as they did without ever asking and without you volunteering that information.
An awkward moment certainly ensued when it finally became apparent that the delicate ringing of wedding bells were present in his or her head for the past month or so.
How well do you and your partner communicate your needs and desires with one another? The answer can mean the difference between "happily ever after" and "we need to talk.
" 4.
The Ability To Trust The fourth and final of our healthy relationship characteristics is easily the most imperative of all.
As they say, "save the best for last.
" Too often, one or both partners in a couple come either from a long line of failed relationships or miserable childhood lifestyles, carrying with them the inability to trust their new partner for fear of being rejected and hurt.
The lack of which forces one partner to suffocate the other, tethering them in a virtual chain of their control.
Conversely, keeping an open mind and allowing yourself to trust is absolutely the best way to give your relationship its most prominent chance for ultimate survival, allowing you and your partner both to grow together and fully enjoy the happiness only a healthy relationship can provide.