The ingredients of a healthy relationship

A very frequent question that comes up in my office is: What are the ingredients of a healthy relationship?

Anyone would easily respond that love is the most important ingredient. And it's true, because love allows us to go through the misery and torment of the roughest times, to solve conflicts and develop tolerance. But love is not the only ingredient in a happy relationship.
A study by Susan Sprecher, Ph.D. at the University of Illinois revealed that satisfaction and commitment are more important than love in couples that wish to share their lives together. Out of a total of 101 couples that were studied prior to marriage, 59% ended their relationship because they lacked satisfaction and commitment even though they stated that love was still present. Of the remaining couples, 71% got married. Further studies revealed that love, satisfaction and commitment increased with the time.

I believe that commitment is essential in a relationship, but not only the commitment to stay together. Each partner must commit to respecting, understanding and supporting the other on their particular path through life. And, of course, love allows partners to make this journey and to travel together with passion.

-Dr. Ana Nogales