A happy relationship is one in which two people in love stay together despite arguments and disagreements.
Often, people believe that relationships are chaotic, struggling, and time-consuming. However, in reality, they are not difficult if managed properly.
Every relationship may have good and bad days but it is important to know how to stay strong together despite conflicts and disagreements.
It is important to understand that every relationship requires putting in effort and time. Doing so will help you maintain a long-lasting and happy relationship.
Also read: 7 Red Flags Everyone Should Look Out For In A Relationship
There are 5 crucial factors one must keep in mind to be happy in a relationship and they are:
1. Communication
Communication is the key to maintaining a healthy and happy relationship. If you don’t properly communicate with your partner, conflicts and misunderstandings likely arise.
When you communicate your wants and needs to your partner, it helps them to build trust and understanding which is important to have a stable, and healthy relationship.
Moreover, having strong and healthy communication allows you to strengthen your bond and also provides you with emotional support.
Communication is not only about sharing feelings but also how you respond to your partner, it needs factors such as:
- Empathy
- Listening
- Understanding
- Patience
- Calm Mind etc.
Speaking to your partner and showing empathy make them feel safe while sharing things with you. Listening carefully to your partner allows them to feel being heard and it also indicates attentiveness, love and respect from your end.
On the other hand, understanding, patience, and a calm mind are required as they allow you to process different views and opinions and calmly discuss and solve disputes rather than argue over them.
2. Trust & Respect
Building trust is extremely crucial so that everything remains clear between you and your partner and you freely share your thoughts, feelings and opinions.
Moreover, when you trust your partner, it helps you rely on them, and it makes you feel secure.
Having trust helps to avoid suspicion, and reduces the chances of overthinking about certain situations, this is because you know you trust your partner. In simple words, it helps provide stability.
Trust is interlinked with communication. The more you trust each other, the more you communicate with one another and the more you communicate clearly, the more trust it builds.
It also helps to increase intimacy in a relationship, as when you trust someone you grow closer to them, and grow a special bond together.
Read about: How to Understand and Build Intimacy in Every Relationship
Additionally, trust is an important foundation in a relationship. The more you and your partner trust each other, the more stable your relationship will become, and it also helps to establish your commitment to each other.
On the other hand, having mutual respect is equally important. Respect allows you and your partner to accept each other’s differences of opinions and views. Respect is one of the most important factors you must have to have a happy relationship.
Similar to trust, respect is also a two-way street. Respecting your partner also includes appreciating them and being grateful for their efforts.
3. Understanding
Understanding is important in a relationship as it helps to clear out conflicts, and helps your partner understand you, your thoughts, your views, etc.
It not only helps you to resolve conflicts but also allows you to connect with your partner. When you understand each other, you become closer, and it also helps in building trust.
When you and your partner understand one another, it is easier to validate each other’s feelings as you truly understand their perspective. Understanding helps to provide clarity in a relationship.
Apart from this, it also helps to reduce misunderstandings and enhances intimacy as the more you understand each other the more you strengthen your bond.
Moreover, it can help reduce the chances of having any resentful feelings that any partner may feel and it allows you to understand your partner’s needs and wants.
Lastly, it is also beneficial as it builds a strong foundation for your relationship thus leading you to be happier in a relationship.
4. Boundaries
Boundaries are extremely important in a relationship. Oftentimes, if a partner is not comfortable with certain things, the other should respect it. For example – a husband asks his wife to not taunt him but rather tell him when he is wrong.
In the above example, the husband has communicated that he doesn’t like when someone taunts him and he would rather have someone point out his mistake. His partner must respect that boundary as it helps them to establish a boundary and prevent any conflicts.
In the scenario, had the wife not respected his boundaries and continued to taunt him, it would cause resentment and conflicts. Hence boundaries are a must for happy relationships.
Apart from this, it also helps to provide you and your partner with a personal space and ensure that you both are comfortable and happy. It also allows you to have your individuality which reduces dependency on your partner and provides emotional safety.
Maintaining boundaries also helps to maintain trust and feel more satisfied in the relationship. Moreover, it also promotes healthy communication.
5. Honesty & Loyalty
Being honest with your partner is important for many reasons such as:
- Helps build trust
- Reduces conflicts and fosters emotional intimacy
- Creates a strong bond with mutual respect
When it comes to a relationship we must have open and honest communication with our partner. This creates a healthy and sustainable relationship.
Speaking the truth and being straightforward and transparent in our actions and words helps to cement the relationship further. The key to this is to be honest consistently no matter how small or big a matter may be. This helps in being honest with oneself too.
Besides honesty, loyalty is also important. Loyalty is a commitment to your partner, and you must ensure to never be dishonest and unfaithful. It is one of the most integral aspects of a relationship.
It helps provide stability, security and surety in a relationship. An unfaithful person often hurts their partner which can cause their partner to face mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
These were a few of the most basic things that are important to be in a healthy and happy relationship. Some other ways to make your partner happy are:
- Planning random surprises
- Spending quality time
- Putting in time and efforts
And a lot more. The main key is to communicate, understand your partner’s love language, their needs, their wants and try to make them feel special. Ensure to respect their boundaries and do not break their trust.
To be in a happy relationship you and your partner both must make sure to put in time and effort to make the relationship work.
