Maybe you were once in a really great relationship, but then something happened and it suddenly turned toxic. Or maybe you’re in a toxic relationship right now and you want to know how to turn a toxic relationship healthy. Toxic relationships are unfortunately all too common, but the good news is that they can be turned around with a little effort. Here are 10 tips on how to turn a toxic relationship healthy:
1. Communicate openly and honestly with each other.
One of the most important things in any relationship is communication. If you’re not communicating openly and honestly with each other, it’s going to be very difficult to turn a toxic relationship healthy. If you’re feeling hurt, angry, or frustrated, tell your partner how you’re feeling instead of bottling it up. And listen to what your partner has to say without getting defensive. A toxic relationship harbors painful emotions until it cannot be held in anymore and when it comes out it manifests as hurtful words and immature actions. Communicate as soon as you feel emotions your not sure about, that way they don’t get to the painful stage where you uncontrollably lash out.
2. Spend time together doing things you both enjoy.
One of the best ways to turn a toxic relationship healthy is to spend time together doing things you both enjoy. This can help you reconnect with each other and create new, happy memories. It’s also important to spend time apart so that you can miss each other and have your own hobbies and interests. A little bit of space can actually be good for a relationship.
3. Show your partner love and affection.
In a toxic relationship, love and affection are often replaced by anger and resentment. If you want to turn a toxic relationship healthy, it’s important to show your partner love and affection. This can be anything from saying “I love you” to holding hands to giving each other massages. Physical touch is important in a relationship and can help foster intimacy and closeness.
4. Be supportive of each other.
Another important thing in any relationship is support. If you’re not being supportive of each other, it’s going to be very difficult to turn a toxic relationship healthy. Whether your partner is going through a tough time at work or dealing with personal issues, be there for them. Listen to what they have to say and offer your support. Sometimes all someone needs is to know that someone else is there for them.
5. Respect each other’s boundaries.
In a toxic relationship, boundaries are often crossed without consent or respect. If you want to turn a toxic relationship healthy, it’s important to respect each other’s boundaries. This means not invading each other’s personal space, not reading each other’s private messages, and not crossing any other boundaries that have been established. Respecting each other’s boundaries shows that you trust and respect each other.
6. Be honest with each other.
Honesty is another important thing in any relationship. If you’re not being honest with each other, it’s going to be very difficult to turn a toxic relationship healthy. Whether you’re honest about your feelings or honest about what you’re doing, honesty is essential in a trusting and healthy relationship.
7. Be generous with each other.
In a toxic relationship, often one person is always taking and the other is always giving. If you want to turn a toxic relationship healthy, it’s important to be generous with each other. This means giving your time, your energy, and your resources without expecting anything in return. Generosity creates a feeling of abundance and helps foster intimacy and closeness.
8. Be patient with each other.
Patience is important in any relationship, but it’s especially important in a toxic relationship. It can take some time to build trust and heal the wounds of a toxic relationship. Be patient with each other and don’t expect things to change overnight.
9. Seek help from a professional if needed.
If you’ve tried everything on this list and you’re still struggling to turn your toxic relationship healthy, seek help from a professional. A therapist or counselor can help you and your partner work through the issues in your relationship and learn new skills for communicating and interacting with each other.
10. Have realistic expectations.
One of the most important things to remember when trying to turn a toxic relationship healthy is that there are no overnight fixes. It will take time, patience, and effort to make lasting changes in your relationship. Have realistic expectations and don’t expect things to be perfect. Allow yourselves to make mistakes and learn from them. Be patient with yourselves and each other, and trust that you can create a healthy, happy relationship.
-If you’re in a toxic relationship, know that it’s possible to turn it into a healthy one. It will take time, patience, and effort, but it is possible. Use these tips to turn a toxic relationship healthy.