Maintaining Healthy Relationships

This is an article on tips for maintaining healthy relationships.

Preview Points

• Relationships with other people are a mainstay of life.
• There are relationships with friends and family, colleagues, and others in the world.

Contents

TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS HEALTHY:

1. Be yourself.
2. Keep your life balanced.
3. Negotiate boundaries.
4. Re-evaluate boundaries.
5. Express needs.
6. Express positive feelings.
7. Express negative feelings.
8. Maintain a balance of power and authority.
9. Avoid assumptions.
10. Talk things out.
11. Be fair when you argue.
12. Question your jealousy.

GETTING OVER A BREAKUP:

1. Expect a period of grieving.
2. Seek the support of friends.
3. Limit time alone.
4. Time heals, eventually.
5. Spoil yourself a little.
6. Create a balance of life activities—with family, friends, school, work, and hobbies.
7. Exercise and eat right.
8. Get professional support.

Concluding Points

• Healthy relationships are an important part of life, but they’re also not the be-all, end-all of life.
• Relationships should not involve compromising one’s sense of values or self.
• Relationships need good communication and mutual respect to work well.

References

Bertholf, S. (1995). Maintaining Healthy Relationships. University Counseling Services.