Daily challenges, mistrust in past relationships, trauma, mental illness, and neglect can all affect a close relationship. In order to nurture healthy relationships, all individuals will have to put in consistent work. Whether it is a family relationship, friendship, or romantic relationship, both parties need to put in work and communicate to help avoid unnecessary tension.
Whether in a committed relationship or growing a new relationship, following these tips can help individuals grow more respect for a family member, partner, or friend. Here are our tips to help improve many different relationships.
1- Build Trust
Being honest and reliable will help all people in your life to trust you. Both parties should work to make good relationship choices, respect the other partner’s boundaries, and put their partner first. Trust is essential in healthy relationships because it keeps us from constant worry.
For those who have had their trust broken in past relationships, it may take longer for a new partner to build trust with these individuals. Breaking trust in a relationship can do long-term damage to both partners.
2- Focus On Effective Communication
Humans are not able to read each other’s minds or understand what is needed in a relationship if we don’t communicate. Clear and effective communication is the best way to nurture a healthy relationship.
While most people believe that communication is just talking, it is much more than that. In relationships, platonic and romantic, it is important to listen actively. Listening with the intent to hear them out, rather than just responding, will show investment in the other person’s feelings. Pay attention to verbal and nonverbal communication as well.
Being vulnerable with a partner or friend will help both parties build more trust while also learning how to better serve each other. Communicate emotions and needs without placing blame on the other partner in the relationship.
3- Find Shared Goals And Interests
To keep relationships strong, couples or friends should find activities they like to do together. Having shared interests not only makes quality time together more enjoyable but also creates a topic of discussion for downtime as well.
Many couples share the same goals when they first get together, however, our goals and dreams can change over time. For relationships that are struggling, having a quarterly check-in and creating combined goals will help you both have something to look forward to. Even if individuals are working toward separate goals, having goals that focus on self-improvement can help aid in nurturing healthy relationships.
4- Address Issues Promptly
Another common problem in relationships is conflict resolution. If you want to nurture a healthy relationship, you need to address issues promptly and in a healthy way. Letting problems fester and not communicating how something affected an individual will just drive a wedge between each party.
Not all problems are going to be able to be brushed under the rug. Working together to find a practical solution or compromise will help keep the relationship strong. Conflict resolution is not everyone’s strong suit, so if partners or friends have difficulty problem-solving, try working with a therapist.
5- Maintain Independence
Having friends and a romantic partner can be very fulfilling, but when we start to depend on others, the relationship can suffer. Becoming dependent on another person for happiness and validation will put a strain on the relationship. It can also make a breakup feel even more debilitating when that financial, emotional, or physical support is gone. During a relationship, we should maintain some independence and allow our partner or friend to do the same. This allows for a natural balance of connection and individual growth.
6- Be Adaptable
We live in an ever-changing world, which means that relationships are bound to have different seasons and waves of connection. Depending on the type of relationship, children, jobs, sleep schedules, medication, family death, siblings, friends, pets, and even the weather can change a relationship dynamic.
If you set healthy boundaries and have communication with your partner, individuals will be able to adapt to different stages of life. What worked at the beginning of a relationship may not work 10 years later. Adaptability is key to nurturing healthy relationships.
7- Have Regular Check-Ins
A vulnerable talk about how each person is feeling about the relationship will help both parties to pivot or change course if needed. Regular check-ins help partners have a safe space to share what they need more of or less of.
8- Relationship Counseling
Some couples, family members, or even friends can benefit from counseling. Most counseling sessions are built around romantic partners and their problems. Seeking the help of a therapist can facilitate healthy communication, teach problem-solving techniques, or point out areas that both parties could work on. A therapist is an unbiased third party, which means they won’t take sides or push some sort of narrative. Couples counseling is often referred to as maintenance. Just like the tune-ups and maintenance needed for a car, relationships can also benefit from regular maintenance.
Ogden Psychological Services offers couples counseling, individual therapy, and family therapy to help individuals nurture healthy relationships. We are here to make sure the members of our community take control of their emotions and mental health.
