10 Traits of Emotionally Healthy People
Orlando Therapist Offering guidance on What Emotionally Healthy People Look Like
Feeling overwhelmed, confused, and anxious in your relationships, romantic or otherwise? Do you find yourself going back to conversations trying to figure out who is to blame? Are you tired of wondering, “Is it me? Or is it them?”
As an Anxiety Therapist and Relationship Counselor in Orlando, I help folks wade through the murky waters of their overwhelming relationships. I help them put the pieces together and figure out what the heck is going on!
In this blog series on relationships, I define traits of unhealthy people, traits of healthy people, traits of healthy relationships, unhealthy communication patterns, and how to stop all the madness and step into healthy relationships, romantic or otherwise.
In my last post, 10 Traits of Toxic People, I explored the characteristics of unhealthy people. If you’re struggling in relationships, you’ll want to avoid closeness with folks that exhibit many or most of those behaviors. And, you’ll also want to avoid engaging in them yourself, because, well , unhealthy people make unhealthy relationships.
In this post, I explore the healthy traits to look for in others and what to cultivate in yourself.
Take responsibility
Healthy people take responsibility for themselves: for their behaviors, choices, feelings, and faults. They don’t blame others in order to divert from owning their part in any given situation.
Admit when they are wrong
Healthy folks are humble and are able to admit when they are wrong. They are people who are growing and willing to look at their part in the problem. They are willing to use interpersonal discord as an opportunity to be self-reflective. They investigate situations and are willing and able to learn from their mistakes.
Own their feelings
Healthy people can identify their full range of feelings. They are able to express their feelings in a healthy way without feeling bad about having them. Because they are able to take responsibility for their own feelings, they can communicate difficult feelings in a way that is safe for them and others.
Validate feelings of others
Emotionally healthy people understand that others will also have a wide range of feelings that may differ from theirs. They are able to validate another’s feelings and by doing this offer the experience of feeling understood. They have the ability to validate another’s feelings without feeling defensive. Healthy folks make space for their own feelings and others’ feelings while they are different.
Allow for multiple perspectives
Similar to the one above, healthy people are able to see things from multiple perspectives. They are open-minded to others’ thoughts, feelings, needs, desires, and perspectives. They can see how other’s might have a different opinion than them and they are comfortable having differences.
Honor boundaries
Healthy people value and honor their own boundaries and the boundaries of others. They are able to hear “no,” as well as say “no.”
Extend compassion
Emotionally healthy people are able to see other’s from a compassionate and understanding perspective. They view people as doing the best that they can with the resources they have. Rather than judge or condem, they choose to view people as doing the best that they can with the resources they have.
Communicate clearly
These folks use direct and clear communication. They are able to identify what they want and need and ask for it directly. They avoid being passive-aggressive in favor of clear and concise communication. You won’t hear them say things like, “You should have known what I meant.” These folks mean what they say and say what they mean.
Have integrity
Rather than perfectionism as their guiding principle, these folks value integrity. They are honest and trustworthy. If they say they will do something, you can count on it. They are reliable, dependable, and consistent. They have set values as a guide post and adhere to it because they have integrity to themselves.
Value connection
Emotionally healthy people value the sanctity of their relationships. They understand the richness that connection brings to their life and they honor relationships. They understand that healthy relationships need to be nurtured and they are willing to bring vitality to their relationships by taking care of themselves and honoring the needs of others.
Being able to recognize the emotionally healthy, and unhealthy, traits in people, as well as yourself, can help you have more connected relationships. It is important to be aware of these traits and to know what to do when or if you find yourself in an unhealthy relationship.
Wanting to dive deeper into your relationship patterns? Check out each post in my Relationship Series:
Anxiety Therapy Orlando with Valentine’s Gifts to Soothe the Senses
Don't feel emotionally connected?: 31 signs your partner is emotionally immature
4 Qualities of a Healthy Relationship
Trauma Triangle: Making Sense of the Chaos
Trauma Triangle: Moving from Chaos to Clarity
Looking for more relationship guidance?
5 Simple Steps to Setting a Boundary
Guided Meditation for Anxiety: Healing Light
Ready to schedule?
When you’re ready schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation here.
Mindful Living Counseling Orlando is a trauma healing center. Our Orlando Therapy Services include anxiety therapy, trauma counseling, eating disorder recovery, teen counseling, and healing from toxic relationships. At Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, we use a down-to-earth approach infused with cutting-edge therapies that go beyond traditional talk therapy so clients can heal at the root level and experience lasting change. Feel free to access one of our Guided Meditations to help you feel settled and calm now.
