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Jan 18, 2017 · Below, I'd like to share 12 science-based tips to help you avoid disconnection and make your relationships flourish! 1. Be honest. Any issues you avoid, or truths you don’t want to acknowledge ...
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Jul 30, 2021 · Trust, dependability, realistic expectations, a positive outlook, and deep caring create the bedrock of a healthy relationship. A healthy relationship requires connection on a physical, emotional...
- Trust. Two people develop trust because each has proven to be trustworthy and reliable. When tempted to betray the relationship in some way, they have held fast to the needs and feelings of the other person instead.
- Authenticity. Authentic people aren’t so judgmental, uptight, and defensive that they bristle at differences. They value individuality and uniqueness.
- Honesty. The truth should be spoken in love, compassion, and tenderness. To a friend, the truth is not a weapon; it is a healing balm.
- Understanding. A healthy relationship involves two people who know the background and context of each other’s lives. They know the what of things, but they also know the why of things.
- Make Your Needs Known. Giving in a long-term relationship should be reciprocal and habitual. Most times, we tend to put our partner’s needs and desires first.
- Honest Communication. The quality of the communication between you and your partner is positively correlated with the quality of your relationship. Honest communication in a long-term relationship helps both of you to better understand each other.
- Compromise. To move your relationship forward, it’s important to ensure that there’s a balance between your needs and that of your partner. Always strive for a mutually beneficial compromise whenever there’s a disagreement.
- Fight Fairly. The worst thing an individual can do is to enter into a relationship and expecting never to fight. You’re two different people and living together might be harder than you thought.
- Overview
- Interpersonal Relationships Need Openness
- Interpersonal Relationships Need Boundaries
- Interpersonal Relationships Require Listening
- Interpersonal Relationships Require Respect
- Interpersonal Relationships Need Empathy
- Why Interpersonal Relationships Matter
- When an Interpersonal Relationship Ends
- A Word From Verywell
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Human beings are social by nature. The connections we build with others are critical to social, emotional, and physical health. Knowing how to maintain interpersonal relationships can help you build a support system that provides strength as you cope with life’s challenges.
An interpersonal relationship is a social connection or affiliation between two or more people. Different types of interpersonal relationships can include your connections with your partner, loved ones, close friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and many others who make up the social connections in your life.
This article discusses things you can do to maintain strong interpersonal relationships with loved ones, friends, colleagues, and others in your life. It also covers why these relationships are so important and what you can do when they do end.
In order to form and maintain strong bonds with others, there needs to be a mutual give-and-take when it comes to sharing information with one another. People need to open up to you, but you also have to be willing to let others in and share details about your experiences, emotions, and opinions.
After all, it is through this mutual sharing that you get to know each other. This process, known as self-disclosure, forges bonds and deepens intimacy between people.
Consider how you might feel if someone you care about did not share important information with you about things that are happening in their life. You might be left feeling that they don’t trust you or that they don’t consider you a close friend.
Letting others in isn’t always easy. By sharing, you are showing them that you trust and care for them—and giving them the opportunity to show the same care in return.
Being open doesn’t mean you should give others unlimited access to your thoughts, feelings, or time. Healthy boundaries are also a vital foundation of any strong relationship. It is important not only to establish these boundaries but to enforce them as well.
A boundary can be defined as what you are willing to accept in a relationship. These boundaries represent your values, expectations, and limitations.
A boundary in your interpersonal relationships might look like having limits on when you spend time together or expectations for when you will be there for one another. It can also involve how much you are willing to share about yourself emotionally, physically, and even digitally.
These boundaries are important in your relationships with other people, but they’re also important for your relationship with yourself.
Good communication is essential in any relationship, but it’s important to remember that communicating well involves being able to listen.
Active listening involves being engaged with what your conversation partner is saying. You're not just being quiet and letting them say their piece—you’re reflecting on their words, paraphrasing what they have said to show you are listening, and asking questions you may have.
Listening shows that you care. It shows that you are involved in the other person’s life and interested in what they have to say.
Listening is a great way to learn more about the other person. It also allows you to offer support and emotional validation, which can go a long way toward making the other person value you as a friend and confidant.
To maintain interpersonal relationships, you should also show respect for others. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they say or do what they want to do. However, It does mean you should show that you value their feelings, opinions, time, and interests.
When showing respect in interpersonal relationships, you should:
•Avoid disparaging the things they enjoy
•Keep the commitments you’ve made to them
•Show up on time
•Be mindful of their feelings
Empathy involves being able to put yourself in another person’s shoes and feel what they feel. It means you see things from their perspective and feel their pain as if it was your own.
Interpersonal relationships benefit from empathy in many ways. When you show that you feel what someone else is feeling, it helps the other person gain a sense of belonging. It helps others feel understood, and that understanding serves as a foundation for trust and closeness in a relationship.
Why are interpersonal relationships so important? Research has found that interpersonal relationships can have a number of important benefits for physical and psychological health. Some of these include:
•Combating loneliness
•Increasing resilience to stress
•Decreasing the risk of depression and suicide
•Lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease
•Improving longevity
Not all relationships are healthy, and sometimes you might need to let go of a toxic or painful relationship. In addition, some relationships are limited in duration simply by the nature of the connection—your relationship with a coworker, healthcare professional, or teacher, for example, may end based on various transitions in your life.
Other relationships may end for various reasons, including a breakup, divorce, a move, or death. Remember that it is normal to feel a range of emotions when a relationship ends, including sadness, anger, or grief.
If you are struggling after the loss of an interpersonal relationship, consider talking to your healthcare provider or therapist.
What Is Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT)?
Being able to maintain strong interpersonal relationships plays a critical role in both your physical and emotional well-being. Think about the qualities that you value the most in your relationships— such as trust, respect, friendship, kindness, and honestly—and work on showing others those same virtues.
While it can be easy to get caught up in the busyness of everyday life, make it a habit to spend time cultivating and protecting your relationships with the people who matter the most. A little time, attention, and effort can ensure that you are giving people the support they need and that you get the same support in return.
How to Know If You Are in a Healthy Relationship
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Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
1.Sprecher S, Treger S, Wondra JD, Hilaire N, Wallpe K. Taking turns: reciprocal self-disclosure promotes liking in initial interactions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 2013;49(5):860-6. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2013.03.017
Oct 8, 2024 · There are many elements to consider when aiming to maintain a healthy, long-term relationship. Engaging in constructive, honest communication, building emotional intimacy, and learning to resolve conflict together are just a few examples of the parts involved in the balancing act of a romantic partnership. Here, we’ll discuss the basics of ...
Oct 14, 2021 · You can maintain love in a relationship but it may require some effort. Here are 8 tips to maintain a healthy relationship that is fulfilling for both of you.
