Healthy Relationships: Part 1

Healthy relationships make everyone involved feel safe, healthy, and happy. They come in a variety of forms, based upon each person’s individual wants, needs, and boundaries. In order to achieve a healthy relationship with a friend or romantic partner, you need to feel comfortable with identifying your personal boundaries. Communication is key in any healthy relationship; it makes both parties feel heard and respected. Communication is made up of both verbal and non-verbal components.

 

Verbal communication uses words and sounds to express ideas and includes any moment when you are actually speaking. Verbal communication can be used in a number of situations.

 

• You can verbally communicate to your friend that you would love to attend her birthday party by saying, “Yes! I will be there!”
  
  
• You can verbally communicate to your romantic partner that you are not ready for a sexual relationship by saying, “No. I don’t want to do that.”

 

 

Non-verbal communication is just as important; it includes body language, gestures, facial expressions, and even posture. Non-verbal communication helps us understand the tone, or emotional atmosphere, of a conversation.

 

• If your friend is smiling and nodding as you tell a story, you can feel that she is happy and enjoying the conversation.
  
  
• If your friend is avoiding eye contact, slouching, and trying to appear smaller, you can feel that something might be bothering him.

 

 

You can communicate your boundaries and feelings in both verbal and non-verbal ways. You always have the right to say “no” to any situation at any time.