- [Narrator] Hey, Psych2goers, welcome back.
Are you wondering whether you have healthy relationships
with the people in your life?
Whether it's romantic, platonic, or familial relationships,
building and maintaining a healthy bond with others
is a key aspect of living a happy life.
Whilst the determining factors of a healthy relationship
may differ from person to person,
there is a multitude of traits that are common indicators.
With that said,
here are eight signs of a healthy relationship.
Number one, adaptability.
As with emotions,
human personalities are subject to change
and fluctuations as life happens.
Have you ever thought someone in your life was changing?
Well, whilst they are still themselves,
they may portray an alternate version of themselves
through time and experiences.
According to therapist Lindsey Antin,
being aware and accepting of this is important,
as one thing healthy relationships
largely share is adaptability.
In order to achieve a balanced power dynamic,
both partners in the relationship
must be willing to compromise for each other
and adapt to changes.
Number two, encouragement.
All of us have had various dreams and goals.
Although our goals might not always align
with other people's goals,
people in healthy relationships acknowledge the importance
of constant encouragement.
Even if you don't relate to
or fully understand a goal of someone in your life,
offering encouraging words and support
might just help make their day.
Number three, comfortability.
Do you ever notice your body physically relax
as soon as you're in the presence of someone
who is very close to you?
This might involve inhaling deeply
and then sighing in relief
as soon as you enter the safe, comfortable space with them.
Feeling at ease is a telltale sign
of a healthy relationship.
If you feel tense around someone
you'd like to get closer with,
try communicating with them,
as opening up might help the relationship progress.
And it might, in turn,
make you feel more comfortable with them.
Number four, trust.
A huge sign of a healthy relationship is trust.
Imagine you get a text from your partner,
saying that they're going to the same party as their ex.
If you feel calm and unthreatened by this,
it suggests a trusting and healthy relationship.
Similarly, if you trust your friends and family
to have your back,
it suggests a healthy dynamic.
If, however, you don't trust these people in your life,
this is something you can work on
by communicating and being open and honest with them.
Number five, physical intimacy.
Intimacy doesn't always mean sex.
Plenty of research has shown the importance
of physical contact for well-being,
and it's, therefore, no surprise that healthy relationships
often involve cuddling, kissing, hugging,
or even just being in the physical presence of one another.
If you find yourself being physically drawn
to a friend, partner, or family member,
there's a good chance that you have
a healthy relationship with them.
Equally, however, if you don't feel comfortable
being physically intimate with someone,
it's important that the other person respects this
and doesn't make you feel pressured in any way.
Number six, boundaries.
One of the fastest ways to break down a relationship
is crossing one another's boundaries.
On the other hand,
recognizing and respecting the other person's
physical and emotional boundaries
is essential in forming a healthy relationship.
There are three components involved
in creating boundaries for yourself:
identifying what your boundaries are,
communicating them to others,
and sticking by them.
If people treat these boundaries seriously, that's great.
If they don't, it might be worthwhile
having a serious discussion with them.
And if nothing changes,
you might need to consider moving on.
Number seven, happiness.
This might seem obvious,
but healthy relationships will provide both parties
with joy and happiness.
Dopamine and serotonin are feel-good chemicals,
which are the hormones released from our brain
when we interact with someone we love.
Do you feel happy spending time with those around you?
Do you look forward to seeing them?
If so, it sounds like you have
healthy, fulfilling relationships.
And number eight, communication.
This is another huge sign of a healthy relationship,
whether it's resolving conflicts,
vocalizing each other's desires,
or inquiring about the well-being of one another.
Clear communication is a fundamental sign
of a healthy relationship.
In any relationship,
there will almost certainly be disagreements
from time to time,
but what matters the most is how you both work together
to resolve the conflict
in a transparent and respectful manner.
So there we have it,
eight signs of a healthy relationship.
Do you relate to any of these signs?
There are more signs than just the ones we've listed today,
so please let us know if we've missed any
in the comment section below.
If you don't relate to all of these signs,
that's completely fine.
It takes effort from both sides
to create and maintain a healthy connection.
And if you feel as if there's room for improvement,
start with communication.
If you liked today's video,
please like and subscribe to Psych2go,
if you haven't already.
And share this with others
who might also find the video helpful.
We'll see you next time.