Keeping Our Relationships Healthy: What's Crossing the Line?

As human beings, we have an inherent desire for closeness. The ability to form stable, healthy relationships is vital to our mental and emotional wellbeing.?Since our relationships exist on a spectrum, it can be hard to tell when a behavior crosses the line from healthy to unhealthy.??In healthy relationships things are not perfect, but strengths, weaknesses, and problems can all be addressed, and lead to productive change. ?In contrast, unhealthy relationship behaviors include lying, cheating, jealousy, and disrespect; with one partner trying to exert control over the other in subtle or obvious ways.??In abusive relationships power and control is used to cause emotional, financial, or physical harm. Have a look at the behavioral spectrum outlined below:

In any relationship, we should always feel safe, respected, and that we can be ourselves. The goal for any relationship is to not tolerate abusive behaviors, decrease unhealthy behaviors, and prioritize engaging in healthy behaviors so we can create more for fulling and loving connections.