Learn about Healthy Relationships

What is a healthy relationship?

Relationships come in all shapes and sizes. We all have different needs for and expectations of our relationships, and this changes over time. So how can we talk about what’s healthy in a relationship when we are all different?

No matter who you are or who you care about -healthy relationships are about HOW you connect with your partner.

In a healthy relationship, you support and care about each other. You understand each other. You can talk honestly and openly because you trust and feel safe with each other. You appreciate one another. You have fun and can be playful together. You share interests while still feeling independent. You treat each other as equals and with respect. Your relationship moves forward at a pace you’re both comfortable with. You help each other to grow as a person.

Above all, you make each other feel good!

What to look for in a partner?

No matter how casual or serious your relationship is, and regardless of your age, culture, sex, gender or sexual orientation, mutual respect is key to making it healthy and safe.

Here are 8 of signs of mutual respect in a relationship:

**We both feel safe being with each other**

**You both feel OK to express who you are**

**You both are open about your needs and wants**

**You both allow the other person space if they need it**

**You can both admit when you've made a mistake**

**When you disagree, you listen to each other**

**You don't yell or talk over the top of each other**

**Neither of you controls the other person's choices**

Adapted from the kids helpline.

If your relationship is missing some of these signs, it may be time to work on them with your partner. Relationships go up and down as people change and grow – it’s normal. You get to decide when to work on your relationship and when to end it. Importantly, relationships that involve any kind of abuse or violence are not normal or okay. Click here to find out ways to build a healthier relationship.

Should we break up?

Sometimes it’s obvious that the relationship is over. Other times it’s more difficult to tell.

15 signs that your relationship may be unhealthy. Click on which signs might apply to you.

**Your partner makes you feel bad about yourself**

**You're avoiding other people in your life**

**Your friends and family don't like your partner**

**You're being mean or rude to your partner**

**You think about finding someone else**

**The relationship is moving too fast for you**

**Either of you are acting too needy or clingy**

**You keep talking about when the relationship will be better**

**You're constantly anxious in your relationship**

Adapted from the Hackspirit website

If you are experiencing some of these signs in your relationship - that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to break up. All relationships go through rough patches. Sometimes all it needs is for you both to work on fixing it. Learn how to create healthier relationships.

However, if you are having serious, ongoing issues and neither of you have been happy with the other for an extended period, then it might be time to consider ending things. Deciding when it’s time to break up is entirely up to you and your partner – it’s your lives.