How To Find Healthy Dating Relationships

By: Sylvia Cochran

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Learning how to find healthy dating relationships coaches the young dater to remain true to himself, his dignity and also his values. He does while nevertheless enjoying the thrill, excitement and ego-boosting experience of receiving the attention of the opposite sex.

It is crucial--especially for young men who are just starting down this road--to discover from the get-go that considering now how to find healthy dating relationships sets them up for a lifetime pattern that makes close love relationships assets rather than energy-zapping liabilities.

  1. Pursue a friendship first. Learn to initially value a potential lover as a friend. Establish common patterns of kindness and courtesy that then transfer into a love relationship, if desired.
  2. Build on commonalities. Understanding how to find healthy dating relationships requires an appreciation and acceptance of self. For example, if the young dater is an avid sports fan, he will be well-served to date someone who shares his interest. Opting for someone who despises sports is certain to lead to future disagreements and problems related to jealousy over time spent at sporting events.
  3. Practice flexibility of interests. Do not be afraid to try new things. If the dater finds that he is overall compatible with a would-be partner, it is a good idea to try some of the things that she likes. Perhaps she enjoys skydiving? Give it a try! Even if it is done only once, it goes a long way to constructing a relationship that is built on mutual acceptance.
  4. Evaluate communication patterns early on. Recognizing how to find healthy dating relationships does require an understanding of--and vigilance against--communication pitfalls that signal the potential of deeper problems. For example, if in the course of building the friendship (with an eye on perhaps taking it a step further) the lady in question becomes overly possessive and checks in numerous times via email, text message and voice mail, this is a distinct warning sign. In addition, if the young dater attempts to take part in some activity that interests her, only to be derided or cut down for making less than expert attempts, this, too, should serve as a warning to move on. These types of ladies are not the right answer to the man learning how to find healthy dating relationships.

Being true to--and accepting of--self as a whole person is the initial step of dating readiness. Discovering how to find healthy dating relationships by looking for partners who also fall into this category is the most important strategy a dater could undertake.

Posted on: Nov. 02, 2010