Relationships make up a significant part of our lives and help provide essential social support. They range from close and intimate to distant and challenging, but they all contribute to the well-being of our mental and physical health.
Meaningful relationships are characterized by thoughtfulness, kindness, openness, and intention. They’re also balanced and mutually supportive, so each person feels cherished by the other.
Healthy relationships can be hard work, but they’re well worth the effort. It takes two people to keep a relationship working, so it’s important for each partner to put the other person’s needs above their own.
Affection and affectionateness are important in any relationship, but they especially need to be present in a romantic relationship. Everyone has different ways of showing love and finding out what works for your partner is crucial to keeping a relationship strong.
Being in a relationship can also inspire and encourage you to live a healthier life, because you’re around people who have the same values. If your friends and family are doing healthy things like eating right, exercising and not smoking, you’re likely to follow their example and be more consistent in your own behavior.
Being in a committed relationship can be an incredible support system, especially if you’ve been through a lot of hard times. It can also give you a sense of purpose and make you feel better about yourself. Ultimately, though, it’s up to you to choose the relationship that’s best for you.
