21 Characteristics of Healthy Relationships

                                        

If you can say yes to most of these, it's very likely you're in a healthy relationship:

1. You can name your partner’s best friend and identify a positive quality that the person has.

2. You and your partner are playful with each other.

3. You think your partner has good ideas.

4. You’d like to become more like your partner, at least in some ways.

5. Even when you disagree, you can acknowledge your partner makes sensible points.

6. You think about each other when you’re not physically together.

7. You see your partner as trustworthy.

8. In relationship-relevant areas such as warmth and attractiveness, you view your partner a little bit more positively than they view themselves or than most other people view them.

9. You enjoy the ways your partner has changed and grown since you met.

10. Your partner is enthusiastic when something goes right for you.

11. When you reunite at the end of the day, you say something positive before you say something negative.

12. You reminisce about positive experiences you've had together in the past.

13. You can name one of your partner’s favorite books.

14. You know your partner’s aspirations in life.

15. You can recall something you did together that was new and challenging for both of you.

16. You kiss every day.

17. You’re comfortable telling your partner about things that make you feel vulnerable such as worries about getting laid off.

18. You have your own “love language” (pet names or special signs you give each other).

19. You know your partner’s most embarrassing moment from childhood.

20. You know  your partner’s proudest moment from childhood.

21. You never, or very rarely, express contempt for your partner by rolling your eyes, swearing at them, or calling them crazy.

 Written by Dr Alice Boyes, Ph.D

Alice Boyes, Ph.D. has had her research about couples published in leading international journals, including Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Her work focuses on how people can use tips from social, clinical and positive psychology research in their everyday lives and romantic relationships.

She is regularly interviewed for magazines and radio about a wide range of social, clinical, positive, and relationships psychology topics. She can be contacted for media interviews by emailing admin@aliceboyes.com (link sends e-mail)