15 Signs of a Healthy Relationship that Keep Couples Happy & In Love

The signs of a healthy relationship are easy to see, but not the easiest to follow through. What makes a relationship healthy? How to be in one? Use this.

I think we all want to find that one person we can be with and be in a completely healthy and happy relationship. After all, we’ve all been through enough of the bad ones to know a good one from one that’s heading down the dumps. Or do we? There are a few signs of a healthy relationship to help us stay on track, that you just can’t ignore.

What is a healthy relationship?

Truthfully, some couples look like they’re in a happy relationship, and it can be a total disaster on the inside. However, other couples radiate true happiness. It’s pretty obvious they have a healthy relationship.

In its simplest form, a healthy relationship is one where both partners feel secure, loved and happy. They communicate and trust each other completely, and wish only the best for each other. They don’t need to fake it, they don’t need to prove their love to others, nor do they have to post pictures on social media just to let others know they’re in “true love”.

[Read: What makes a good relationship? 30 answers to this vital question]

Why you should never settle for an unhealthy relationship

Relationships are supposed to give you happiness, fulfillment, and comfort. So if you find yourself in a relationship that leaves you feeling less than happy, don’t accept it assuming that’s what love should feel like. Never settle for a relationship that leaves you questioning yourself or making you feel less than complete.

You may do actual permanent harm to your mental health by remaining in an unhealthy relationship for too long. The best way to avoid this is to know the signs of a healthy relationship. This allows you to determine whether or not you’re in a good one. [Read: 18 emotions you should never feel in a healthy relationship]

The 15 signs of a healthy relationship you should ALWAYS look for

You’ll be able to feel the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship. But if you’ve never had the fortune of being in a healthy one, you may never know just what it feels like or how you’re supposed to be treated.

For those of you who wonder whether your happiness with your partner is due to a healthy relationship or something else, these signs are your best bet in figuring out if it is, in fact, a healthy relationship.

#1 You feel happy. This may be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people think they’re in a healthy relationship and are just unhappy, but blame everything else.

If you’re in a healthy relationship, you are simply happier. You don’t worry as much, you don’t have as many negative thoughts, and you’re genuinely in a good mood most of the time. [Read: 17 secret ingredients to a happy, monogamous relationship]

#2 You can be apart with confidence. Most couples in UNhealthy relationships can’t be apart without having reservations or without getting angry or upset about it. If your relationship is healthy, you have no problem being apart and making it work.

#3 You argue. Yes, arguing is HEALTHY! You have to argue in order to get your opinion across. If your relationship is healthy and you’re arguing about important things, it means you’re comfortable enough to voice your opinions even if they differ. But there’ a thin line between arguing constructively and arguing just because you’re annoyed and upset with each other. [Read: How to stop fighting with your partner and hurting each other]

#4 You feel safe and secure with them. Safety and security are very important in a relationship. If you don’t feel safe with the person you’re with, then you’re always a little anxious. If you feel safe and secure with your significant other, then it’s a healthy relationship. [Read: 5 ways to feel more secure in your relationship]

#5 You never have anxiety when they go out with their friends. This is a big problem for many couples unaware they’re in an unhealthy relationship. If your partner can’t go out without you being super anxious and worrying, you’re in an unhealthy relationship.

You should always be able to let your significant other go out and spend time with friends without having to think twice about it. If you do this, no problem, your relationship is healthy.

#6 You never doubt that they’re telling the truth. You just automatically take them at their word. That’s called trust. It is vital for a healthy relationship. If you don’t have this in your relationship, it’s nearly impossible for it to be healthy. [Read: 11 signs you just can’t trust the person you’re dating]

#7 You feel at home with their family. Unless they’re not in contact with their family or their family is just very strict and seem to not like you, you should be able to feel at home and comfortable around their family. If you can do this, then you have a healthy relationship.

#8 You barely complain about them to your friends. Because there really isn’t anything to complain about. If your friends even noticed how little you complain about this person compared to those you’ve dated before, it’s a sign of a healthy relationship. [Read: 20 things happy couples don’t do in a healthy relationship]

#9 You don’t want them to change. How many people have you dated and thought, “If only they would stop doing that?” If you’re familiar with thinking this, then you have not been in healthy relationships in the past.

However, if you look at your partner and don’t want to change anything about them—other than them forgetting to change the toilet paper roll or other little things—you’re finally in a healthy relationship.

#10 You never feel like they’re judging you. No matter what you say or do, if you know they’re not going to judge you, and you feel like they’ll try to understand rather than judge, you’re in a healthy relationship. [Read: Emotional roller coaster: Are you stuck in an unhealthy ride?]

#11 You can be 100% yourself with them. From wearing no makeup to walking in straight from the gym drenched in sweat and smelling up a storm, if you aren’t afraid to just be yourself around them, you’re in a healthy relationship.

You should always be able to be who you really are with your significant other. If you can’t, you’ll never feel fully relaxed and happy. A sign of a healthy relationship is knowing you can be yourself, and they’ll still love you. [Read: 25 must-follow relationship rules for happy love]

#12 If they don’t call or text back right away, you really don’t care. How many of you have ever been angry and annoyed with your significant other for not texting back right away? Probably most of us at some point. Now, this was probably when you were in an unhealthy relationship.

If you’re in a healthy relationship, you honestly won’t even notice this because you don’t care. A sign of a healthy relationship is understanding that sometimes they can’t always answer you right away. [Read: 20 reasons why a good morning text is so important in a relationship]

#13 You never feel like they’re hiding anything from you. This is a big one. If you feel like your partner isn’t ever hiding anything from you, it’s a healthy relationship. When you constantly have to question what they’re doing or hiding, it makes you anxious. It shows you don’t trust them.

#14 They support your life decisions. Bottom line, if your relationship is a healthy one, then your partner will support you in your decisions. Even if they don’t agree with them all the time.

They trust and believe in you to do what is best and right. They’ll support you all the way. This is a major sign of a healthy relationship. [Read: 10 signs your partner is truly supportive of your goals]

#15 You can’t believe you ever dated anyone else because of how happy you are. This is kind of your “ah ha!” moment. If you ever look back and wonder why it is you ever stayed with your exes for as long as you did because they seem like garbage compared to the person you’re with now, then you have a healthy—and more importantly—a happy relationship.

[Read: 9 stages all couple go through in their relationship]

How to build a healthy relationship together

Sometimes, you date someone and fall in love with them. You start to overlook a few things that bother you, and then some more. And before you know it, you’re settling in a relationship that drains away your happiness instead of adding more of it. Change it, communicate with each other and work towards a happier relationship.

You always need to remember that no relationship is perfect. If it is, it’s only because two unique people came together, fell in love, communicated with each other, and worked towards a happier future together. It’s doable, and you just need to start by learning to express yourself and learning to listen to your partner too.

[Read: What does a healthy relationship look like? A guide to build one yourself]

How many of these signs of a healthy relationship do you see in your own life? Remember, when you’re happy, everyone around you is happy. Start small, one day at a time, and you’ll get to experience the best kind of love soon, if not already!