How Do I Make My Relationship Great?

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No relationship is perfect all the time; it takes effort. There are many things you can do to help build a healthy relationship, but you can’t do it alone.

Here are our top 10 tips for a healthier relationship:

  1. Love yourself. You’ll be a happier partner. Know your own strengths and be proud of them. Take care of yourself, including your emotional health.
  2. Share your feelings and listen to your partner’s. If you’re upset or concerned, talk about it. Working through difficult situations builds trust and helps make relationships stronger.
  3. Be honest and expect honesty. Be truthful about what you do, think, and feel.
  4. If you want to know what’s on your partner’s mind, ask. Be ready to listen to what they have to say, and don’t assume you know what someone else is thinking or feeling.
  5. Spend time on your own and encourage your partner to do the same. Sometimes people think true love means spending all of your time together. But it’s actually healthier to spend some of your time with different people. That way you can grow as individuals, and have meaningful relationships with friends and family too.
  6. It’s OK to have disagreements. Partners often have different desires, opinions, and ideas. Everyone has the right to think differently. Make sure you respect each other’s unique points of view.
  7. Forgive. Even in a healthy relationship, no one’s perfect — making mistakes is a normal part of life. Apologizing and forgiving helps you move on, and holding grudges isn’t healthy.
  8. Help your partner(s) feel good about themselves and expect the same in return. Acknowledge each other’s efforts and accomplishments.
  9. Talk openly and honestly about sex. This is the only way your partner(s) will know what’s comfortable for you and what gives you pleasure. Make sure you have each other’s consent every time, and never pressure, guilt-trip, or pester.
  10. Take care of your sexual health. In a healthy relationship, partners protect each other’s sexual health. Getting tested for STDs and having safer sex are important. Make an appointment at your local Planned Parenthood health center to get birth control and/or STD testing.