Although people should be looking for the good in the connection they have with their partner, they actually tend to look for the reasons why it’s never going to work. Instead of looking out for the red flags, one must look out for the green flags. Green flags are the actions and signs that show you that you’re in the right relationship. But, what exactly are you supposed to be looking for? Let’s check it out.

Boundaries Matter

If your partner knows how to respect your boundaries and not cross the line, there it is, your very first green flag. Partners who understand your space and ensure they don’t step into it definitely respect you. As Shanita Brown, instructor of counselor education at East Carolina University and a licensed mental health counselor stated, if your partner is curious but at the same time doesn’t give you a guilt trip about it, they surely appreciate your individuality.

Communicates Feelings

We all know how important it is to communicate and let your partner know how you feel, good or bad. If your partner feels heard and seen, they will be able to have a healthy talk with you about anything and everything, says Kelly E. Green, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at St. Edward’s University and a licensed clinical psychologist. However, make sure that talking doesn’t turn into a blame game. Remember, it might not be easy for everyone to open up, but if you see your better half at least trying then, our friend, that is your green flag.

Works as a Team

We’ve all been in a relationship where it felt like we were fighting with each other rather than for each other. Well, if this is how you felt after the last fight, then that is not good. When you have your partner’s back and they have yours, when you work as a team rather than two individuals, this is when you know it’s going to last. Understanding each other during hard times is what makes a relationship special.

Feels Good to be Around

If you have to put on a mask or pretend to be someone you’re not next to your lover, then that is a big no-no. Being with someone around whom you feel good about yourself is a green flag. Feeling good in your own skin is especially important for people with bad past experiences. Your partner should be a source of light.

Person of Their Word

You know when your partner says they will do something and then actually does it? That right there is the person of your dreams. From telling you they will pick you up and they do to meeting your family after they promise they will, all those are nothing but green flags. However, if your other half backs out from plans quite often, you might want to rethink some things.

Let’s be honest here. What is the first word that comes to your mind when someone mentions US citizens? Rude? Uncooperative? Ignorant? For decades, many studies and surveys have shown visible results in the decline of the cooperation level of Americans. There has been no study in the past 61 years that showed any increase in the graph. However, this is not true anymore. There has been a recent study that has shown a significant hike in the level of cooperation among US strangers. Take a look at this surprising news!

Analyzes of the Study

This good news came out as an article on July 18 in the Psychological Bulletin Journal. Although people took time to process the fact, everything is based on years of hard work, surveys, and research. This study was conducted between 511 US studies. The research results covered a timeline between 1956-2017, and it was conducted with more than 63,000 candidates. The outcomes initially were even shocking for the authors as there was no proof that the cooperation level of US people had been declining. In fact, all they could see was a little raise.

The Authors’ Thoughts

The lead author, Yu Kou, a Beijing Normal University social psychology professor, stated during a press release that they were surprised by the findings that Americans became more cooperative over the last six decades because many people believe US society is becoming less socially connected, less trusting, and less committed to the common good. Adding to the same, the co-author Paul Van Lange, a Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam social psychology professor, said that it was possible that people gradually learned to broaden their cooperation with friends and acquaintances to strangers, which is called for in more urban, anonymous societies.

Limitations of the Study

Since the participants in the 511 studies were mostly youngsters and college students, there is a possibility that the study does not stand for the entire population of the country. Also, it has been noted that two of the main causes behind the cooperation were economic growth and a competitive market. People started being nice to each other for easy competition and for the production increase of goods and services. Although the study has its back draws, it does create hope for a better future. It can also impact the perspectives of the people living in the US, and they might actually move forward with this change.