TAKING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TO HEART
The Foundation of a Healthy Romantic Relationship
TAKING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TO HEART
The Foundation of a Healthy Romantic Relationship
This article was co-written with Fondation Marie-Vincent
When discussing healthy relationships, we tend to hear a lot about “red flags”—warning signs that a relationship is toxic or violent. And while it’s important to be able to recognize red flags, it’s also helpful to learn to recognize “green flags”; in other words, positive signs that hold promise for the future! Let’s take a closer look at some green flags that form the foundation of a healthy romantic relationship.
WHAT IS A HEALTHY ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP?
Healthy romantic relationships make you feel good, safe, and respected. They share a few common elements:
🗨 Open, honest communication: being able to talk about your troubles, what you’re feeling and thinking, and what’s important for you, and asking your partner to share in turn.
👂 Listening: being available for your partner, listening to them, and feeling listened to without judgement.
⚖ Equality and balance: each partner feels equally important in the relationship and no one takes advantage of the other.
👍 Respect: having respect for yourself and your partner, even when you disagree. Respecting their tastes, interests, opinions, and choices. Having a positive attitude and using kind, supportive words and affectionate gestures. Here are a few examples of respectful comments: “Wow, that outfit looks great on you!”; “Don’t give up—I’m rooting for you!”; “I understand. It sucks, but I know you can do it!”
🧘♀️ Freedom: feeling free to express your needs, wants, and boundaries. Feeling that you can change your mind without consequences. Being free to pursue your own pastimes.
👏 Wanting what’s best for your partner and being happy when they succeed.
🥰 Trust: knowing that you can count on your partner, and that they can count on you, because you have always been respectful and honest with each other.
💗 Sharing, having fun, loving one another!
And, most importantly, a healthy, respectful relationship is based on the free and informed consent of each person involved. This is very important when it comes to sex.
What is sexual consent?
Read our article to learn moreIs there consent?
Consensual sex must involve four elements: respect; equality between partners; partners of the proper age and with no improper family ties; expression of consent.
Learn more about consentTHE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING YOUR PERSONAL BOUNDARIES
To be able to give or withhold your consent, you have to learn to listen to yourself, ask yourself what you want, and set your own boundaries while accepting those of other people.
Learn more about boundaries
HEALTHY CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Occasional disagreements between partners are to be expected. Arguments can be healthy, because they allow each person to speak their mind respectfully, stand up for themself, and resolve the disagreement as a team. But sometimes, conflicts become more frequent and intense, leading to disrespectful, violent behaviour.
Learn to recognize abusive situationsListen to our podcast!
We’ve joined forces with aidersonenfant.com to discuss a sensitive topic on our podcast: violence in teen dating relationships—how to talk about it and get help.
Communicating, discussing, listening, expressing yourself—all these skills can be learned!
Learn all about healthy communicationGOOD TO KNOW
Romantic relationships play an important role in self-esteem and well-being. However, keep in mind that you don’t have to be in a romantic and/or sexual relationship, or even feel the need to be in one. The important thing is that you feel good!
ResourcesNeed to talk to someone about what you’re going through?
Talk to a counsellor at Tel-Jeunes : it’s anonymous, free, and available 24/7
External resource
With Our Partner
The Marie-Vincent Foundation supports children and teens who are victims of violence by offering them the services they need—all in one location. The Foundation helps prevent sexual violence by focusing on education and awareness, and by helping children with problematic sexual behaviours.