Let’s take a closer look at the role of honesty in relationships.

What is Honesty?

First, let’s discuss what honesty is. We all know honesty is the act of being truthful, but what does that actually look like in a relationship? Some examples might include:

• Making good on the promises you make to your partner
• Being consistent and reliable
• Openly communicating your thoughts and feelings
• Telling the truth, even when a lie would protect your own interests

This doesn’t mean you have to reveal every passing thought to your partner; you are still entitled to your own privacy. A good rule of thumb, if you are unsure, is to ask if you are keeping something private or keeping it a secret! Many couples find it helpful to set out clear boundaries regarding what is acceptable to keep private while maintaining an honest relationship.

Now let’s talk about some of the reasons why honesty is important in healthy relationships.

1 - Honesty Can Reduce Stress & Anxiety

As a business offering polygraph in Knoxville, we can say with some degree of confidence that one of the worst feelings in a relationship is wondering if your partner is lying to you, especially when it comes to being unfaithful. When honesty is gone from your relationship, it can make you question everything. Who was that text message from? Is she really going to visit her sister? Is he genuinely having to stay late at the office? This soon leads to other questions, like ‘am I not enough?’ or ‘do they still love me?’ Before long, it all spirals out of control, and one partner is left feeling insecure and anxiety-ridden. Sometimes, these fears are unfounded and come from a history of betrayal in previous relationships, in which case continuing to demonstrate honesty whenever you can will help over time. If the fears are accurate, then booking a polygraph in Knoxville can help get the whole truth and allow you to make difficult choices on whether or not you can save the relationship.

2 - Honesty Promotes Communication

Another reason why honesty is so important in a relationship is that it promotes healthy communication. If everyone is telling the truth, it is much easier to resolve conflicts and share how you feel. When a problem arises, honesty allows you to voice why you are hurt and what would be an acceptable resolution, prompting your partner to share their perspective in return so you can agree on that common ground.

3 - Honesty is Healthier Than Lying

You may not realize that lying can actually be detrimental to your health! There is a physiological response to telling a lie, which we look for when conducting a polygraph in Knoxville. Still, beyond that, studies show that lying can impact your mental and physical wellbeing. Continuous lying has been proven to cause digestive problems, depression, anxiety, and reduced white blood cell count meaning the body is less prepared to fight illnesses. In a study during which participants stopped telling lies over a period of 10 weeks, participants reported a 56% reduction in health issues and a 54% reduction in anxiety.

Fun Fact! In the first 10 minutes after telling a lie, cortisol is released in your brain, which forces your memory into overdrive as it tries to sort out the truth from the lies and remember which is which. This results in stress and confusion.

4 - Where There is Honesty, There is Respect

When you are honest with your partner, it shows that you respect them and the relationship. You care enough that you don’t want them to worry about you unnecessarily, so you are upfront and honest about where you are, who you are with, and what you are doing. This helps your partner to feel secure and respected, and they will likely be honest with you in return.

Honesty is an integral part of any successful relationship. However, don’t forget that if suspicions arise and you are finding it difficult to separate fact from fiction, we can help you with a polygraph in Knoxville.