Within intimate romantic relationships, it can get a bit tricky navigating your own mental health as your life becomes “intertwined” with that of your partner. With certain problems that occur within the relationship, which are very normal, it may take a toll on our mental health and wellbeing. Hence, it is very important to take care of your mental health, first and foremost, in order to be able to have a happy and healthy relationship.
Mental Health within Relationships
There are many ways in which these two things are intertwined. Firstly, we can talk about our past experiences and how they may affect us in the future. Certain childhood experiences or past traumas may negatively affect the way we behave and even see the world. We speak a lot about attachment styles and how they stem from our childhood and almost directly affect how we tend to view romantic relationships.
There is also no denying that being in a stable relationship tends to positively impact your mental health. This is, of course, not to say that your partner should be the only reason behind your happiness, no. However, it definitely does play a role in your overall mental wellbeing. Conversely, negative interactions within relationships may increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
- Alone Time – Every individual deserves some time on their own to just be with themselves or even with their friends. It can be very beneficial to spend some time away from each other just to remind yourselves of your individuality.
- Communication – With every problem or even the tiniest of things, make sure to communicate that with your problem. Set your boundaries and limits. Tell them your likes and dislikes. Let them know what bothered you from their actions and words. Make sure you communicate everything with them, as they are definitely not a mind reader.
- Support – While your partner be a great support system to you, they should not be your only form of support. The bigger your support system, the better. It may take a negative toll on your partner if they are the only ones expected to take on everything from your end.
It can be quite easy to lose yourself within a relationship. Hence, make sure that you enjoy your independence when need be and make sure that you are able to communicate healthily with your partner. Remember that fights are a very normal thing to happen. What matters is how you come out of it and support one another.