Is Your Relationship Healthy?

A healthy couple relationship from a sexual and an emotional point of view must meet certain qualifications. Here are five rules to respect!

In simple terms, a healthy relationship is one that allows you to feel good about yourself and your partner. Not only will you have fun together, but you can express your true self and allow your partner to do the same. Of course, relationships differ from one another, but healthy relationships share at least five important qualities. The acronym SHARA can help you remember these qualities.

1.    Security: In a healthy relationship, you should feel safe. You're not worried that your partner is going to hurt you physically or emotionally and you are not tempted to resort to physical or emotional violence against your partner. You can try new things (for example, take an evening course) or change your mind about something (eg, indulge in sexual activity that makes you uncomfortable) without fear of your partner’s reaction.
2.    Honesty: You do not hide anything important from your partner and you can express your thoughts without fear of being criticized or ridiculed. You can admit you're wrong. You solve the conflict through honest discussion.
3.    Acceptance: You accept yourself as you are. You appreciate your partner’s unique qualities (eg sensitive or embarrassed) and you do not try to change them. (If you do not see your partner’s qualities, you might want to examine your motives for being with that person.)
4.    Respect: You have a high opinion of one another. You feel neither inferior nor superior to your partner markedly. You respect the other's right to have opinions and different ideas. This does not mean you have to tolerate everything your partner does or does not do(for example, refuse to get help for an alcohol problem). This is a sign of self-respect as to set limits.
5.    Accreditation: A good relationship is not limited to how two people treat each other: it must also include the approval. In a healthy relationship, you feel full of energy and life in your partner’s presence. You can play and laugh together. You're having fun.

The opposite of a healthy relationship is an abusive relationship. Such relationships include law enforcement, fear and lack of mutual respect. Typically, one partner takes control while the other hides in resentment or fear. The characteristics of an abusive relationship include intimidation, insults, blame, depreciation, guilt, questioning and jealous violence pure and clear.

Abusive relationship

If you think you are in an abusive relationship, chances are he treats you as you are. You may know deep inside you that you'd be better off without this relationship but you're afraid to stop it. Perhaps you rely on your partner's income, you are afraid to be alone or you streamline the relationship as "better than nothing." By cons, long-term abusive relationships are more detrimental to your self-esteem than the absence of a relationship (and the opportunity to find one that is healthy).

You may think that you have no options, but you certainly do. A social worker and (or) a counselor can help you develop a strategy that will allow you to get out of abusive relationship. Your doctor or local sexual clinic / regional can refer you to appropriate counseling services.