No relationship is perfect all the time. But in a healthy relationship, both people feel good about the relationship most of the time. A great relationship takes more than attraction — it takes work, and both of you have to be willing to put in the effort. Here are some tips for building a healthy relationship:
1 Love yourself. Being comfortable with who you are means you’ll be a happier partner.
2 Communicate. Talk to your partner about your feelings. Ask questions and listen to their answers. If you’re upset, say so — don’t make your partner try to figure out what’s up. Talking through problems builds trust and makes your relationship stronger. And it’s not all about how to deal with your problems — don’t forget to let them know when something they do makes you happy.
3 Be honest. Be truthful with each other about what you do, think, and feel. Honesty creates trust. Few things harm a relationship more than lies.
4 Give each other some space. Couple’s time is great, but spending ALL your time together isn’t. It’s healthy to have your own friends and interests outside of the relationship.
5 Agree to disagree. You’re not always going to see eye to eye, and that’s OK. The important thing is to respect each other’s opinions and ideas.
6 Forgive and ask for forgiveness. Everybody makes mistakes. Be willing to apologize for yours — and accept your partner’s apologies.
7 Support each other. When your partner does something great, tell them! Your partner should do the same for you.
8 Talk about s*x…openly and honestly. Telling your partner what feels good and what you like and don’t like helps you have better s*x. Never pressure your partner into doing something they don’t want to do, or let your partner pressure you — consent is a must.
9 Take care of your s*xual health. Talk to your partner about how you’re going to protect each other against STDs and unintended pregnancy. Practice safer s*x and get tested for STDs.
