Here's How Experts Define Healthy Communication In A Relationship

Although it can feel scary to be vulnerable with someone, you can't get to the root of an issue or argument if you're unwilling to be open and honest about your feelings. Healthy communication doesn't involve lying or misrepresenting your feelings: it's about being totally transparent with one another.

"Healthy communication in any relationship is based on the premise that both parties are open and honest with each other," Caleb Backe, health and wellness expert at Maple Holistics, tells Bustle. "If you’re able to respect each other and really hear what the other person is saying, then you’re on the right path."

It's unrealistic to assume all communication in a relationship can be done face-to-face (especially if you're in a long-distance relationship), but as far as the important stuff goes, it's much better to talk in person than to try to resolve conflict over the phone — or worse, text.

"One of the main factors of healthy communication is the ability to have important conversations face-to-face to avoid any misinterpretation," Backe says. "[...] The idea is to talk to each other, rather than at each other. It’s a subtle shift that can make a world of difference."

One of the hardest parts about opening up to someone is dealing with the fear of being judged — but in a healthy relationship, neither partner will make the other feel judged for sharing their feelings or opinions.

"Healthy communication occurs when both participants are calm, they are open to hearing a differing perspective or opinion, and their goal is to find a common ground, a solution, or just to learn about the other person, all without judgment or anger in reaction to what the other person says," Kryss Shane, LMSW, LGBT sex and relationship expert, tells Bustle.

It can be difficult not to get caught up in being the one who "wins" a given argument, but healthy fighting isn't about who's right or wrong. Rather, it's about both partners sharing their perspectives and finding a solution as a team.

"Healthy communication involves speaking with the intent of understanding your partner better," Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali, LMFT at The Zinnia Practice, tells Bustle. "It's not about being right or proving the other wrong. It seeks to build a bridge between partners, rather than to shame the other."

Particularly if you've been with someone for a long time, it's tempting to just assume what your partner is thinking at any given time. But in order to avoid unnecessary miscommunications, it's crucial to ask for clarification of your partner's feelings rather than making assumptions.

"Healthy communication also seeks to clarify what the other means, rather than building on assumptions," Osibodu-Onyali says. "So often we respond based on what we think our partner means. When communication is healthy, each individual is able to ask for clarification, get clarification and then move on to another topic."

When you're in the heat of the moment during a disagreement with your partner, it can be hard not to make decisions or say things impulsively. However, good communication is all about being deliberate — both in what you say and how you say it.

"We all have different ways of communicating, but the most effective communicators have one thing in common: they don't react impulsively," Dr. Kara Fasone, psychologist, co-founder and chief wellness officer at Wise & Well Academy, tells Bustle. "Rather, whenever possible, they take time (even if it's just a few moments) to plan out what they'll say, how they'll say it, and when. This brief planning can mean the difference between a massive miscommunication and a well-delivered message."

There's almost nothing more frustrating than feeling like your partner simply doesn't understand or care about how you feel, which is why learning to validate each other's emotions — even if you don't fully understand or agree with them — is so crucial.

"The truly 'good listeners' of the world do more than just listen— they listen, seek to understand, and validate," Michael Sorenson, author of I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships, tells Bustle. "That last step — knowing how and when to validate your partner’s emotions — is what brings deep and lasting connection."

As cliche as it might sound, being able to communicate well really is one of the fundamental building blocks of any healthy, happy, long-lasting relationship. Although it's nearly impossible to always have perfect communication skills, as long as you and your partner are actively working to break bad communication habits and adopt good ones, you'll hopefully be able to navigate any tough conversation in a productive way.