Most of us have become so exhausted by the modern dating world that the signs of a healthy relationship probably dont even cross your mind when coupling up. When a person comes along whose interests are the same, listens to you, and doesnt mess up your Netflix recommendations, thats good enough to call a relationship, right?
Take a beat: not all relationships are created equal. Before you jump off the diving board and into the pool of coupledom, first look for and evaluate the five signs of a healthy relationship according to the experts:
Okay we all want to be respected in our relationships but what exactly does that mean? According to clinical psychologist Franklin A. Porter, Ph.D. real respect occurs when, your partner understands and accepts that you are, first and foremost, a unique individual. You have interests, needs, and life experiences that are separate from your partners.
You dont have to have everything in common to have a healthy relationshipbut you do need to respect each other enough to work together when your personalities or backgrounds conflict.
This one might seem obvious, but its notthe definition of trust in a relationship is always changing. There are many situations which might spark temptations, jealousy or insecurity for partners, says Sari Cooper, AASECT certified sex therapist and the director of Center for Love and Sex. Instead of dismissing concerns that a partner raises, its helpful for each partner to pro-actively reassure one another with compassion rather than dismissiveness.
She encourages couples she works with to frequently reassure one another that theyre committed to the relationship. This is a bit different than when you trust a partner to keep their word, she says.
Listening is just as important in a relationship as talkingand as compromising, especially when you feel particularly strongly that youre right, says Porter.
Its critical that both partners feel heard and understood first before they can move on to negotiating a compromise and or making a decision, says Cooper. Use deep breathing and grounding exercises to witness, reflect and empathize with your partner before expressing your own emotional reaction.
This is a tough one, and not just for the obvious reasons (fickle libido, anyone?). Its important to note that some couples or partners dont set sexuality as a priority for a partnership, Cooper notes. However, if they do, its also important that, theyre able to talk freely about their desires without fear of shaming, dismissive or disgusted reactions from their partner in response.
This can include kink, fantasy, or monogamy vs polyamory. For most couples, there are implicit expectations of sexual exclusivity when they partner or marry, says Cooper. The discussion of consensual non-monogamy or polyamory often comes up early on in a relationship as each individual has already identified with this lifestyle or has spent time doing reflective work on what they desire.
Regardless, its an important talk to have, along with respect and understanding of, whatever form your sex life might take and at whatever frequency, says Porter.
Maybe you give your partner feedback on a run-through of their upcoming work presentation and they help you pot your geraniums even though they hate getting their hands dirty. Then, you go to the park because its their happy place even though yours is the movies. While division of labor is necessary and inevitable, working (and playing) together improves relationships, says Porter. In a healthy relationship, you feel your partner is also a great friend who enjoys sharing myriad life experiences with you, both the mundane and the exciting.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
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5 Signs of a Healthy Relationship, According to Psychologists - Yahoo Lifestyle
