What does a “healthy” relationship mean? It’s quite simple – a relationship which is not toxic. The moment we define a toxic relationship it becomes infinitely easy for us to KNOW exactly what we don’t want and thus, the picture of what we do want in a relationship gains a significant amount of clarity. Hence, let’s first try and define what we do NOT want in a relationship:-

• Lack of openness.
• Discomfort.
• One which makes you feel like you are not adequate.
• Interference of too many bloated or hurt egos.
• One which does not allow you to be yourself.
• One which disturbs your mental peace too often.
• When the other person is unable to accept your point-of-view.
• Lack of trust.
• Constant caging-in.
• Lack of honesty.
• Threat to your independence.

So on and so forth. Feel free to add on your own specific points to this list. But what I mean to say is that broadly, most of us do not want the aforesaid in a relationship. Consequentially, any relationship which is majorly free from the above becomes a healthy relationship automatically. But sometimes it becomes too complicated – it goes beyond black and white. In such a situation, where things are grey, how can we know if we are in a healthy relationship? For example when you are not having fun with someone you just know, right? You run out of things to talk about, you don’t agree on anything, you have nothing in common etc. When boredom has some signs to identify it as boredom, a healthy relationship too comes with its own symptoms. Many of my participants have seen 360-degree change in their relationship after attending my 4-days camp ‘Ultimate Life’ where we spend one whole day on building everlasting relationships. Here are a few things about a healthy relationship.

For starters, you begin to feel GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF. This is one of the most common signs of a healthy relationship. You not only feel good and confident about yourself, but you start to take that extra effort to look better, take care of your physical well-being etc. And the plus side is, that with this comes mental peace too. You feel happier in general! You feel comfortable being your own self and in your own skin, i.e., with or without your flaws and feel so grateful to be around people who love you for being you! People run all their lives to find happiness, but in reality isn’t it all too simple? It’s all about surrounding yourself with healthier relationships! People who can make you smile and laugh at the drop of a hat. Thus, when this happens, as a consequence, you begin to LISTEN to those people and gain newer perspectives to life. It is just common sense; when someone makes you happy, you start respecting them and listen to what they have to say much more than feeling the need to only stress upon your own point. You become less stubborn and more accepting. This then extends beyond your immediate family or friends circle. This positivity grows beyond your own life – it EXTENDS TO OTHERS as you become more compassionate. You understand the importance of listening (and not just acknowledging) others’ problems.

Similarly, healthier relationships restore your TRUST in the good and positive that life has to offer. Living in the security of the fact that someone else shall not hurt you knowingly, builds trust not just within the two of you but also in humanity in general. This automatically leads to more HONESTY. The trust that you can be truthful and open with your partner, friend, guardian etc. helps you to be more INDEPENDENT – that you can do certain things on your own without pressuring them to be with you all the time, and vice-versa! It frees you from all your physical and emotional shackles. You stop being in the constant fear of being judged and learn to RESPECT one another. One of the best examples of the same is the relationship of Krishna & Radha, the one that I talk about in my Free ‘Krishna Katha’ Program.

I am sure that just talking about the symptoms of a healthy relationship has given you a rough idea to help you judge if you are truly in one yourself! The important point to remember is that people are never going to be perfect; however imperfect people are fully capable of creating perfect relationships!