10 Signs You’re in a Healthy Relationship Conversation flows

What defines a healthy relationship? Ask any couple and you’ll probably hear a variety of answers, but it’s likely to be one that’s based on trust and mutual respect.

Relationships that lack trust and respect are likely to result in arguments, jealousy, abuse and even domestic violence. All relationships are unique and the boundaries often blurred, but the best rule of thumb is to go with your gut, your instinct, your intuition. Check in with yourself every now and again and notice how you feel when you’re in the company of your other half.

Here are 10 signs that you’re in a healthy relationship:

Conversation flows easily. No topic is off limits.
You don’t criticise each other – complaining is something altogether different. Complaining is to communicate that you’re unhappy with something in a non-confrontational way.
You think before you respond or react to something that’s said or been done that may have upset you.
No offence. “Choose not to be harmed and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed and you haven’t been.” – Marcus Aurelius – Roman Philosopher. When you become offended it’s like accepting that someone else’s opinion of you has more value than your own opinion of yourself!
No one sulks. Sulking is for children and young people who are still developing emotional and social skills. It resolves nothing and serves only to aggravate and prolong an unresolved issue
You both listen. It’s not always that simple, but when a serious, deep or important topic is on the table, you stop what you’re doing, listen, empathise and try to understand.
You never go to sleep on an argument. This one’s a classic. When we’re asleep our brains reorganise the way negative experiences are stored and makes them harder to forget the next day.
You laugh together. Smiling, giggling to throwing-your-head-back belly laughter. The brain releases “feel good” chemicals and the body is flooded with endorphins.
You allow each other the freedom to do the things that make them happy.No jealousy. Some people believe that jealousy is a sign of true love. But jealousy is fear based. It’s a sign of insecurity, a lack of self-confidence and comes from a need to dominate and control. A relationship that is built on trust and mutual respect contains no jealousy.