Regardless of how we choose to commemorate Valentine’s Day, a fundamental question remains for those of us who are at all interested in pursuing romantic relationships: what exactly constitutes a healthy romantic partnership? Throughout this section, we’ll give you a high-level overview of the findings of specialized studies. A single tried and true recipe for love and successful relationships cannot be taught to us, nor is there a single recipe that everyone should adhere to in order to be successful. The best approach varies depending on the relationship type; therefore, trying to establish strict rules for romantic relationships is pointless. Here we share our recommendations for what to look for when establishing a meaningful, healthy, and happy relationship with someone.
Create a sense of purpose at the start of your relationship
The first and most important finding of this study is that the adage “start as you mean to go on” may be true in the case of romantic relationships. Recent research suggests that many people who are dating end up “falling” into committed relationships as a result of this inertia, and that couples may end up living together even when they are unsure whether their relationship is right for them.
If someone has already spent a significant amount of time with their partner and formed a bond, they may end up deciding to move in with them and, perhaps, eventually marry them. Even if one or both partners are convinced at the outset of their relationship that they are not necessarily well suited to each other’s characteristics, this can still occur in some situations.
To begin new relationships with a clear sense of purpose in mind, we should take time to consider what we want and need, in addition to whether or not the person we are dating is truly likely to align with those desires and needs, as well as with our own.
Communicate effectively in order to resolve a disagreement
Just as in any other situation, open communication is critical in the development and maintenance of a healthy relationship. It is also important to maintain calm, open, and constructive communication when resolving conflict in a long-term relationship because no interpersonal relationship is ever truly free of conflict.
To name a few factors that can lead to conflict in a romantic relationship, unmet expectations, financial difficulties, the distribution of responsibilities, parenting styles, and jealousy are just a few of the factors that can cause conflict. A relationship can be jeopardized even if it is the most satisfying because of unresolved conflicts and the stress that comes with them. Furthermore, managing and resolving conflict is a difficult task that, in and of itself, can be a significant source of stress for those involved. Professional therapy can help people who want their relationship to succeed not only when things go wrong, but also to ensure that their relationship stays on track in the long run.
Make time for romantic outings with your spouse or companion
Life, even when we live together, can get in the way of spending quality time with the people we care about. This is true even if we share some little time at home and enjoy the tastylia effect when it’s possible. While under pressure at work, for example, we may find ourselves with little time and energy to spend with our partners doing something that both of us are interested in. Researchers have discovered that couples who participate in enjoyable activities together may find it easier to keep their relationship going in the long run.
Couples who engaged in enjoyable activities together saw an increase in their oxytocin levels, according to research. “Love hormone” is the term used to describe this substance, which is involved in many different aspects of bonding behavior. It is possible that simply attending an event together but not interacting with one another will not have the same bonding effect as actually interacting with one another. When compared to couples who played at home, those who organized their fun activity in a new location outside of their home experienced a greater oxytocin boost than those who played at home did.
Create your own personal space
It is important to spend quality time with our families and friends; however, it is equally important to spend quality time on our own — and to allow our partners to do the same for us. A healthy relationship is analogous to the act of taking a long, deep breath and then exhaling it again. There is a never-ending cycle of closeness and distance, of coming together, even merging, and then dissociation, individuation. Both are critical in their own right. If the distance between the two people is too great, the thought of seeking this somewhere else will occur to one of the parties.
However, excessive intimacy can make a relationship feel like it is being trapped, especially if it is taken to its logical conclusion. In some cases, if a partner gradually isolates their “significant other” from friends, family, and activities that they enjoy, this could be a sign of emotional abuse. It is possible that the relationship will fail if the couple becomes too merged and there is no room left for exploration and growth, for other types of interactions, for missing and wanting to return to your loved one, or for bringing in new ideas and energy into the relationship.
Show that you care and that you appreciate what you have
When a relationship is in its “honeymoon” stage, when a couple is just getting started, the partners will show affection and expressions of appreciation to one another. However, as time goes on, partners may begin to take each other for granted and cease to express the same level of adoration for one another that they once did.
The majority of women who are content in their romantic relationships have stated that their partners are complimentary of their physical appearances, according to surveys. They also stated that as a result of the study, their sexual lives had become more enjoyable. In conclusion, although financial contributions to the relationship are not a reliable indicator of affection in any relationship, some research has discovered that when one partner is able and chooses to make a financial contribution, this can contribute to overall relationship satisfaction if done correctly.
It doesn’t matter which method you use to express your affection; however, expressing your gratitude for your significant other is a surefire way to keep your relationship in good shape.
Conclusion
Healthy relationships have been shown to increase happiness while also improving our health and lowering our stress levels. You should consider turning your attention inward and investing more in self-love before deciding how or whether to start over with someone else if you are in a relationship that does not make you feel happy, secure, or valued.