Relationships aren’t just about the moments of bliss; they are also about the hard times, like the grumpy mornings before coffee or the sadness that follows the death of a loved one. Life isn’t always straightforward, which means relationships aren’t, either. The real question is whether or not your relationship is a healthy one.

Don’t worry – it is normal to question just how healthy your relationship is from time to time. You might wonder if you’re spending too much time together, too much time apart, or if your arguments are becoming far too frequent. To make sure your relationship is good for both partners, here are four signs you are in a healthy relationship.

1. You Big Each Other Up

Your partner should be the person who makes you feel genuinely good about yourself and the same vice versa. If you’ve won a competition, for example, your partner should be excited for you and tell you how much you deserve it.

On the other side of the coin, an unhealthy relationship would see one or both partners attempting to bring the other down, especially in moments of success. It might be subtle at first – your partner might downplay your promotion or laugh at a compliment you received, but it will wear you down over time. This is also a sign of narcissism. If you’re concerned, you might be in a relationship with a narcissist, discover the signs of a covert narcissist and figure out whether or not your relationship is a healthy one.

2. You Each Have Your Own Lives

In a relationship, especially a new one, it’s normal to want to spend every moment with the other. That usually isn’t ideal, though, as too much time with one person can cause too much dependability. In healthy relationships, you would usually see each partner enjoying the time spent with their other half as well as a social life outside of that. Whether you go to pottery class on Wednesdays or have Friday night drinks with your friends, it’s healthy to have a life outside of the relationship.

3. There’s Lots of Physical Affection

Physical touch is a basic human need, and most people receive this from their other halves. If you’ve noticed that your partner no longer kisses you on the cheek or hugs you when they get home from work, then that might be a sign that something is amiss. In a healthy relationship, both partners tend to show their love through physical affection, whether that means light strokes on the arm, hair brushing, or some fun in the bedroom.

4. You Find it Easy to Communicate

Communication is a must in any healthy relationship, romantic or otherwise. It’s important, then, to consider how easy it is to talk to your partner. Whenever you have a personal issue or concerns about the way your partner acted, you should be able to voice that and talk through it without an explosion.

It is important to remember that no two relationships are ever the same. As long as you both know how to communicate your feelings and genuinely feel uplifted by the presence of the other, you can rest assured that you’re in a stable and secure partnership.