A healthy relationship does not form out of thin air. It requires a lot of patience, effort and most importantly, the desire to be together. If a relationship lacks any of these criteria the chance of that relationship breaking up are high. Here are some ways to have a happy and healthy relationship.

1. Communication:
Communication breaks barriers and brings people together. Do you know what your partner needs from you? Many times it so happens that we assume that our partner knows exactly what we need from them. The fact may be that our partner is blissfully unaware of our needs. This may cause anger and frustration in our mind and soon we enter into argument with our partner. If you do not communicate regularly with your partner about everything that involves both of you your relationship may suffer. Do not expect your partner to know and do the right thing. You need to open up and speak out what you want and not expect your better half to read your mind. Even if a couple has spent decades together, good communication is a must to maintain healthy relationship. It is very difficult to go on with life together if one person is totally unaware of what is on the other one’s mind. Lack of communication may cause misunderstandings and differences.

2. Ego:
Ego is often misinterpreted as self-respect of a person. However, there is a very thin line that separates the two of them. Ego is a factor that ruins a relationship. For a healthy relationship both the partners would have to put their egos aside. Many times in a relationship, tempers flare up and arguments take place. In such a case, if one person has an inflated ego and cannot put the differences aside, the relationship will slowly degenerate and ultimately break. People with huge egos may also have a selfish streak about them which is very harmful for the relationship. A relationship remains healthy only when we think beyond ourselves and think about our partner.

3. Superiority:
Many people have a feeling that they are way better than their partner. They feel that they deserve a much better partner. They also believe that the present partner is a compromise. A relationship is a matter of choice and not chance. Two people come together only when they have a mutual connect. Sometimes one partner nurtures a wrong sense of superiority and degrades the other partner with mean comparisons. Such people need to think about why they are in the relationship in the first place. If you feel that your partner is beneath you and you ought to have someone better in life, it would be better to leave the person you are with and spare them the feeling of inferiority. Respect is a key ingredient of a relationship and without this it is difficult for a relationship to survive.

4. Stand up to and for each other:
In a relationship, it is very important to stand up for and stand up to each other. Your partner is your better half and would be the first person you would go to for support. The same applies in their case also and you must ensure that you stand up for them as and when they need your support. You must be ready to shield your partner from the bad elements and stand behind them like a pillar they can rest back upon. However, not everything your partner does is necessarily right and that is when you must stand up to them. You must make your partner aware of their mistakes. This increases the self respect of both the partners.

5. Divide chores:
Household chores are a topic of debate in today’s household. If one partner has the tendency to avoid the everyday chores, the entire burden comes down to the other partner and leaves them with no time for themselves. This causes misunderstandings and arguments. To sort out these problems, divide chores among both the partners. For instance, you and your partner can divide who makes dinner on what day. The day, one makes dinner the other would do the dishes. Divide the other chores similarly.

6. Be a patient listener:
Most of us are not good listeners. To listen one must pay attention to every word, pay attention to the emotions attached with the whole dialogue, not to interrupt, and maintain eye contact. This makes the speaker feel good. Please listen to your partner carefully to make them feel good. This also makes the speaker feel that you care for them. An important aspect of a healthy relationship is being there for your partner in times of need and for that it is important to be a patient listener. For instance, if your partner had a rough day at work, try and get them to sit down with you over a cup of coffee and encourage them to speak their heart out. Do not interrupt, nor give your opinions in between. This would help them unburden their feelings and feel good.

7. Don’t forget physical intimacy:
After one point of time, people often tend to give physical intimacy a miss. Whether it is boredom, tiredness or some other reason, many couples no longer enjoy physical intimacy. In such a situation, one partner may get a feeling that the other one has grown bored of him/her. There are also chances that one partner may grow suspicious of the other. To maintain a healthy relationship, keep balance of both physical and mental intimacy.

8. Give space:
In an intimate relationship both the partners depend on each other for mental and physical satisfaction. Some people get so intimate that they tend to lose their individuality. Irrespective of the intimacy, a healthy relationship means giving each other personal time when they are on their own. Space is an important aspect of a relationship as there are certain things where you or your partner would want to retain their privacy. This would include indulging in a passion or hobby, being with their friends or just some time alone to get sorted. For a healthy relationship, both the partner should give space to each other.

9. Give priority to your partner:
Your partner must always have top priority in your life. For your partner also, the top priority should be you. A relationship is considered to be very special as it is a unique bond when two people become one. You must learn to put your work or your social commitments aside for your partner when they need you. They will then believe that nothing is more important in your life than your partner, and that you can always be counted upon to be there.

10. Learn to trust:
Trust is very essential for a relationship and without trust it is very hard for a relationship to survive. You may have great love for someone but if you have no faith in that person, your relationship will never survive. A relationship without trust is very difficult to maintain because doubts creep in at every moment. The doubts cause lot of arguments and discord.

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