The couple sets a new standard for healthy relationships, psychologists explain.
Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce have become the “it” couple ever since they started dating in mid-2023. Their whirlwind romance has captivated fans and shown what a high-profile yet down-to-earth relationship can look like. According to psychologists, Swift and Kelce’s very public yet seemingly very fulfilling partnership sets a new standard for healthy relationships in several ways.
“Taylor and Travis’ high-profile relationship taps into the psychosocial theory called ‘social comparison,’ or our tendency to learn more about ourselves and our relationship through observing others,” says Nathan Carroll, associate chief resident psychiatrist at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
By comparing ourselves to this high-achieving and seemingly well-matched couple, we evaluate our own relationships and either feel content or seek self-improvement.
“With such a social comparison, [Taylor’s] fans may also be motivated to replicate what they see in Ms. Swift’s and Mr. Kelce’s relationship in their own relationship,” shares Carroll.
Here’s exactly how the dream team that is Taylor and Travis are raising the bar on relationships, and how you can do the same in your own.
5 Ways Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Are Raising the Bar on Relationships, According to Psychologists
1. Direct Communication Removes Guesswork
“Travis’s bold gesture of giving Taylor a homemade Swifty bracelet with his phone number showcased his assertiveness and directness,” notes Andrea Dindinger, a San Francisco-based Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist.
Such bold sincerity eliminates the guesswork and confusion that can come with new relationships, enhancing emotional security.
2. Vulnerability Builds Early Trust
According to Dindinger, this star couple also promptly introduced each other to friends and family, a vulnerable move that said, “I’m taking you and us seriously.” Allowing those closest to them to scrutinize the relationship communicated confidence and trust in one another from the start.
3. Openness Fortifies Their Bond
Swift and Kelce have also openly shared their blossoming relationship with the public instead of hiding it away.
“Openness and transparency require maturity,” says Dindinger. “It communicates being comfortable in yourself and the belief that you can survive no matter what happens to the relationship.”
4. Mutual Caretaking Deepens Intimacy
Kelce’s act of calling off security during a date showed his commitment to protecting Taylor and willingness to be vulnerable, shares Dindinger. Swift’s receptiveness to this caretaking further solidified their bond.
“Trusting your partner to both receive and provide for your physical and emotional safety is essential in satisfying long-term relationships,” Dindinger says.
5. Prioritizing Each Other Despite Busy Lives
Though both stars have hugely demanding careers, they make considerable efforts to attend one another’s performances and games across states and continents. Making time for your partner amidst the chaos of life is important and shows that you care about the things they care about. Swift and Kelce show that true love will make the effort.
As Swift and Kelce continue blazing new trails for how to make love work in the spotlight, fans and psychologists alike will keep watching to see how else this honestly iconic “it” couple raises the bar. Their emotional availability, mutual understanding, and effort so far demonstrate what it takes to build extraordinary connections.
