Regarding friendships and romantic relationships, there’s always the risk of getting involved with people who aren’t good for you. In some cases, a person might not be toxic but have some qualities that are less than ideal. This is why it’s important to recognize red flags in your relationships, so you know when to walk away or seek help if necessary. Healthy relationships will make you feel good about yourself and boost your confidence.
On the other hand, unhealthy ones will make you feel like crap and take away your self-esteem. Do you spend much time with friends who don’t treat you well? Do they bring out the worst in you rather than the best? Do they constantly put you down or demand unreasonable things from you? If so, these are signs that this isn’t healthy for either of you. Keep reading to learn more about identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to help if your friend is in an unhealthy relationship.
Signs of a Healthy Relationship
The most important thing to remember when determining if a relationship is healthy is to look at how it impacts you. If the relationship is making you feel good about yourself, then it’s generally a good thing. If it’s making you feel like crap, then it’s not so great.
Trust
If you feel you can be yourself around someone, trust is a big part of that. You shouldn’t have to watch what you say or hide parts of yourself just because you’re afraid of being judged. In a healthy relationship, you have nothing to hide and can be open and honest without fear of being criticized or judged. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not just to keep your friend’s attention.
Lots of Support
It’s great to have someone in your corner who will cheer you on when you need it and offer love and support when you’re having a rough time. Having someone who’s there whenever you need them without judgment or an ulterior motive is one of the best things in life.
Appreciate
It's a sign of a healthy relationship when your partner appreciates you for who you are. They value your opinions, ideas, and thoughts while respecting what makes you unique as an individual.
Respect
Respecting each other is essential in a healthy relationship. When couples can respect each other's boundaries, differences, and needs, they have much better chances of staying together in the long run.
Forgive
Forgiveness is another important aspect of a happy relationship. Couples who can forgive each other for their mistakes maintain strong bonds and foster trust in one another, enhancing their intimacy and connection.
Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship
Suppose your friend is in a toxic relationship and isn’t ready to walk away. In that case, you can help them by recognizing the signs of an unhealthy relationship so they can decide to get out of it on their own. An unhealthy relationship is damaging to both people and can ruin lives.
Feeling suffocated
It's time to step back and evaluate your situation when you feel you're being smothered in your relationship. You shouldn't feel like you have to check in with someone at every moment of the day, and you also shouldn't have to ask their permission before making plans or decisions. An unhealthy relationship can make you feel like you're walking on eggshells all the time because something can set off the other person's temper or make them lash out at you for no reason.
Feeling neglected or unhappy
Unhappiness is a sure sign of something wrong in your relationship — but maybe not what you think. If you feel unhappy, this could signify that you're in an unhealthy relationship, not just one with a bad or annoying habit that needs fixing. For example, maybe your partner gradually stopped doing things with you and now refuses to go out with friends unless it involves going out with them. Or perhaps they don't seem interested in making plans with their family and friends anymore because they'd rather stay home with their phone or computer instead of spending time together as a couple enjoying each other's company.
Lack of privacy
In a healthy relationship, you should be able to talk about anything without fear of judgment or criticism from your partner. If they don’t allow you privacy — keeping tabs on who you talk to on the phone or telling them where you are at all times — that is a sign that they don’t trust you or value your independence.
Never resolve fights
If issues in your relationship never seem to get resolved, this could indicate that there are more significant problems that neither of you wants to face. You should never feel like both parties should avoid conflict and try to work through it together.
Poor Communication
In a healthy relationship, partners communicate well and can resolve conflicts. If your partner is unwilling to talk things out with you and prefers keeping things bottled up, this is a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
3 Steps to Help a Friend in an Unhealthy Relationship
If you think one of your friends is in an unhealthy relationship, you can help them get out of it. You just need to be patient and supportive and make sure not to cross boundaries by pressuring them to end the relationship before they’re ready.
Talk to Them
First, you must ensure they have someone they can talk to. Let them know you’re there for them and concerned about their relationship. Be careful not to tell them what to do or cross boundaries.
Be Supportive
Let them know you’re there for them and want to help them get out of their relationship. Offer to help them look for a new place to live, give them a ride to work, or just be there when they need it. Just make sure not to cross any boundaries or pressure them.
Call for Help
If you feel you can’t help them and need more than you can give, don’t be afraid to call for help. You know, talk to an adult, whether a teacher, a family member, or a friend’s parent. They can help your friend without putting them in danger.
Conclusion
We all need healthy relationships in our lives. A good friend can help you through tough times and lift your spirits when feeling down. A romantic relationship can make you feel loved and wanted, while a healthy parent-child relationship can give you a sense of belonging and comfort. But healthy relationships are not easy to come by. It takes time to find the right people and get to know them well enough to see if they’re good for you. Getting out can take even longer if you’re in a toxic relationship. Identifying signs of a healthy or unhealthy relationship is essential so you can get out quickly if necessary.