Building Healthy Relationships

Building Healthy Relationships

Most romantic relationships start off with a heady feeling that makes everything seem rosy in the beginning; time and familiarity, however, introduce contempt and other inevitable conflicts. Every relationship has its share of trouble, but the key to building a healthy relationship is knowing how to overcome the problems before they get out of hand.

How to Make a Relationship Work

Though every relationship is different, as long as there is mutual love one can iron out most relationship problems. Here are few strategies that most relationship experts recommend:

Have a Problem? Admit It!

Most minor problems become major issues because people refuse to acknowledge their existence. Running away from problems always seems like an easier approach to adopt than confronting them, but in the long run this approach always backfires.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Lack of communication can be the death of the best of relationships. A communication breakdown generally happens because of the following two reasons:

• The partners either do not share their feelings for the fear of hurting each other .
• Because one or both partners want to avoid arguments.

The longer a couple avoids discussing the issues plaguing their relationship, the more complex the problems become -- and eventually when a confrontation happens the situation turns explosive. Bottled up emotions leads to blinding rage, and ego adds fuel to the fire.

Therefore, it is important for couples not only to ensure that they never stop communicating, but also that they avoid playing the dangerous blame game when they talk.

Though heated arguments and fights are inevitable once in a while, as long as arguments don’t become the sole way of communicating and both the partners make sure they never sleep on an argument, a relationship can sail through the most tumultuous waters.

Relationship Counseling

Sometimes a couple does need an unbiased third party’s help to save their relationship; that’s where a relationship counselor comes in. Generally, counseling is needed if communication channels have already broken down or if the couple is unable to reach a mutual understanding on any issue.

Counseling can help a couple shed the glasses of mistrust and anger and analyze their behavior toward each other more objectively.

Psychotherapy

Not all couples whose relationships are in trouble need to seek psychotherapy. However, if one or both the partners have deep rooted psychological issues like commitment phobia, insecurity, extreme possessiveness, etc., psychotherapy may help in healing an ailing relationship.

Only love may not be enough to save a relationship, but it is one of the most important building blocks of a healthy relationship. As long as the foundation is strong and a couple is willing to make their relationship work, a relationship can withstand the worst storms.

Until next time, embrace your inner wisdom.

Namaste,
Karen