Anyone who has been in a long-term relationship will tell you that they’re hard work. Even when it seems to be a match made in heaven, the myriad complications that can pop up will always have the potential to cause problems. In order for a couple to navigate these difficulties successfully, it’s essential that they have a solid foundation upon which to build. It’s much easier to keep things running smoothly if the foundations are strong. In this post, we’re going to take a look at the keys to a healthy relationship — if yours ticks all these boxes, then you’ll be on the right path.

Mutual Respect 

You can’t have a healthy relationship if there’s no mutual respect. It’s the foundation upon which love can blossom. It’s all too easy to forget that the other person is an individual once you’ve been together for so long. You can take them for granted, or even assume that you know everything that’s going on behind their eyes. But the truth is, you don’t — they’ll have an inner world that’s just as rich as your own. Never forget that they’re on their journey through life. You should be the supportive side that allows them to reach their full potential. 

Working On Yourself

If you value your relationship, then it’s essential that you work on yourself. If you don’t, then it’s not as if your problems don’t exist — it’s just that you’ll be placing them on your partner. There is no shortage of ways that you can work on improving yourself. Sometimes, it’s about being aware of how you could be negatively impacting your relationship — for example, if you have ADHD, then reading up on how ADHD can strain relationships would be fundamental. If you had anger issues, then actively working with a therapist to address that issue would be important. 

Open Communication 

Some people are naturally good at communicating. But the majority of people are not. And that’s a shame because communication is the only way to have a healthy, loving relationship. Without communication, there are too many unknown variables at play that can cause problems not because they’re major issues to begin with, but because they’re allowed to grow into big problems. So commit to having great communication in your relationships — even if the conversations are sometimes hard, it’s worth it in the long run. 

Having Fun

Finally, let’s not forget about having fun. Many couples are doing nothing but having fun in the early months of their relationship, but over time, it can begin to fizzle out. But that’s not because either party has become boring — it’s just that their natural fun has left them. You can think of fun levels as a seed that needs to be watered. If you’re out of ideas, take a look at fun things to do in your home city. A good day can do wonders for helping couples remember why they fell in love with each other in the first place and can put them in good stead for the future.