Valentine’s Day is often one of the first things that comes to mind when people think of February, a national holiday dedicated to showering people with love. Love, unfortunately, is not always healthy. To understand what healthy love looks like, it is important to first define what “healthy” means.
The term “healthy” is often thought of in three ways: physical, mental, and spiritual. Good health on college campuses can be evaluated by how fit students are during their sports season, their hard-fought GPAs, or how often individuals show up to campus-led events. But health also extends into day-to-day relationships.
As Baker University students appreciate the red and pink decorations in the first half of the month, healthy love becomes a crucial conversation, especially when individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence.
Alpha Chi Omega, one of the sororities on campus, is continuing the conversation by educating students on what healthy relationships look like and the early signs of toxic relationships. Alpha Chi Omega is just one of many organizations contributing to the awareness and understanding of healthy love and, on the flip side, the dangers of being surrounded by toxicity, which can lead to serious issues like domestic violence.
Amelia Wiles, Baker’s Alpha Chi Omega Vice President of Philanthropy, shared her definition of healthy love,
“I would say something that you feel safe and secure in, and not like you have to hide who you are, or kind of pretend to be a different person, or conform to certain standards.”
Being able to recognize signs of toxic behavior can make individuals better prepared to set boundaries or get out of a dangerous situation. Conforming to certain expectations, gaslighting, and feeling emotionally drained are just some of the many behaviors someone might experience in a toxic relationship.
Wiles emphasized that an important first step when practicing healthy love is loving yourself before entering relationships. “You need to love yourself before you love anyone else. I think that is so important. I think it is something that people need to place a higher value on.”
Baker’s Alpha Chi Omega chapter supports the idea of healthy relationships by raising money for local domestic violence shelters like The Willow, which is located in Lawrence, Kan. The sorority is organizing Healthy Relationships Week this week, which includes themed tabling events and the sale of love-themed items in the Union.
Monday’s tabling theme was “Love Should Be Sweet,” and sorority members sold cinnamon rolls. There will be tabling on Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as well. Proceeds will go to The Willow Domestic Violence Shelter.
