Relationships are a vital part of a healthy lifestyle and can be extremely rewarding, but there are also challenges. For instance, relationships can expose our weaknesses and make us rethink how we approach our own needs. They can also teach us more about ourselves as we learn to navigate differences in values, beliefs, habits, and personality. In addition, they can help us identify what we can and cannot accept and when it’s time to move on.
A relationship is any connection that involves two people who share a mutually supportive emotional and/or physical bond with one another. Some examples include platonic friendships, romantic relationships, casual relationships and cohabitation. Other types of relationships are more formal and involve commitments like marriage. A relationship can also refer to the broader social support network that includes family and friends.
In a healthy relationship, you and your partner make each other feel loved, valued, and emotionally fulfilled. You both show respect for each other and trust in the other’s word. This can be as simple as not lying or not manipulating one another. Ideally, you both make it clear how much time and energy each of you wants to spend together, and you take that into account in your schedules and plans.
You are also able to express your feelings without fear of retaliation, and you can resolve conflicts in a way that doesn’t involve humiliation or degradation. Sometimes conflict is just a natural part of a relationship, but you can take steps to prevent it from becoming unhealthy and damaging.
