It is crucial for both our personal and professional lives that we develop and continue to maintain good and healthy relationships with other people. Whether it be with your friends or with a significant other, the following advice can assist you in developing and sustaining strong and healthy relationships.

Communication

Effective communication is essential to the process of developing and sustaining relationships that are robust and healthy throughout time. While talking with other people, always try to do it in an open, honest, and respectful manner. Pay close attention to what other people have to say, and make it clear that you are interested in their life.

Communication can mean many different things, like checking in at various points during the day, communicating and talking about a problem rather than ignoring it and communicating throughout the day in general

Moreover, instead of exclusively deciding to text them, you should pick up the phone and give them a call. Call your significant other or a close friend if you haven't seen them in a while to see how they are doing and catch up on what's been going on in their lives. I know that not everyone enjoys talking on the phone, but it's important to remember that texting can lead to misunderstandings and that it limits what can be said, whereas a phone call can lead to a more meaningful connection and a more in-depth conversation because it allows for expression of emotion.

Build A Ritual

Come up with a strategy and a ritual that you can follow on a consistent basis, whether it be once a week, once a month, or every couple of months; the important thing is to have something that you can always return to. For instance, if you and your partner have a long-distance relationship, you should make an effort and schedule time for a call at a time that is convenient for both of you. You should also schedule time for a date night.

If you and your friends are always busy (this happened to my friend group and I; we all had conflicting schedules), so we started to schedule weekly catch-up calls so that we could keep track of what was going on in each other's lives

An additional example, a different group of my friends and I were drifting, and we were all prioritizing school and work and not each other. As a result, once a week at a specific time, we put time aside to meet up and have a study date. This way, if any of us are behind during the week, we can use that time to catch up and study as well.

Quality time

Prioritize spending time with the individuals who are important to you. Make the effort to spend time with them and show interest in the activities and pursuits that they enjoy.

Do something you've never done before as a group, and shake up the routine every once in a while; this will help you create new memories, spark new interests and hobbies, and facilitate new conversations. 

Appreciation

Make it known to the individuals in your life how much you value them.

Show your appreciation for all that they have done for you, and make sure they understand how much they mean to you.

Let your pals know that you value their friendship and the fact that they are a part of your life.

It's the little things like surprising someone with a thoughtful present or sending a letter that you've put some care into, that may go a long way.

Listen actively

Pay attention and take notes when your companions in conversation have anything to speak to you. Show genuine interest in the people you're talking to by asking inquiries about their life and doing so.

Be supportive

Always be there for your pals, whether they're having a good or a bad moment. Recognize and applaud their achievements, and be there for them whenever they feel the need to lean on someone.

My friend had pals who would joke with her by pointing out her flaws and picking on her relationships, but it was all in good fun, and she eventually called them out since it wasn't a true friendship. A joke is something that two people share and find amusing. One of my friends had a friend who was constantly bringing her down, wasn't supportive, and kept asking why my friend wasn't reaffirming the friendship or was unhappy to be her friend.

It might not appear to be a challenging endeavour to keep a friendship going, and some of the advice that I have provided could appear to be really simple. On the other hand, it is essential to keep in mind that not everyone is able to treat their friends with respect and consideration while still offering them support and attention. In fact, some people can be unwilling to make the time to hang out with their friends, while others might not show any interest in actively listening to what their friends have to say. However, behaviours of this kind can degrade friendships' calibre and finally result in the breakdown of those connections. As a result, it is vital to recognize the significance of being a good friend and to make a conscious effort to foster and sustain relationships that are positive and encouraging.

Keep in mind that it takes time, effort, and commitment to create and maintain great and healthy relationships.