SIGNS OF A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

How do you build a solid foundation for love? Here's expert advice

- NASIFA SULAIMAN

RELATIONSHIPS take work - we've all heard that one before. And it's true. Having a fulfilling relationship takes constant effort and emotional investment.

But it's also true that for the work to pay off, you need to build on a solid foundation. If you don't have one, things can get shaky pretty quickly. Or it might seem fine but then suddenly fall apart.

So what makes for a solid foundation? Experts agree it's all about how you communicate with and treat each other.

Here experts share seven signs of a healthy relationship and why they're a good indicator of whether you and your partner will be able to go the distance.

1 YOU RESPECT EACH OTHER'S BOUNDARIES

"Boundaries are just two people recognising each other's limits, their values, their past, their personal I space and their privacy," says Irish psychotherapist Darren Magee, who discusses mental-health issues on his YouTube channel. "And it must work both ways.

Couples in a healthy relationship feel comfortable setting boundaries and are confident their partner will respect those boundaries.

It isn't up to your partner to decide whether a boundary is reasonable or not, says Lauren Moss, a counselling psychologist based in Sandton, Johannesburg. "Respecting your partner as an autonomous adult means you also respect that they can decide what their boundaries are.

"In a healthy relationship, this is shown by honouring the boundary, even if it doesn't make sense to you," she tells YOU.

It's all about respecting your partner's beliefs and opinions. "You shouldn't try to coerce, convince or manipulate your partner into changing their position," says Joburg-based relationship expert Paula Quinsee.

2 YOU AGREE TO DISAGREE SOMETIMES