Relationships are the bonds that unite people through shared experiences, affection, and a mutual commitment to one another. They can be romantic, platonic, familial, or professional. They are complex and can be both difficult and rewarding. Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or married, healthy relationships play an important role in mental and physical health. They can add years to your life, help you handle stress and depression, and allow you to see the world from a new perspective.
While the need for human connection seems to be innate, the ability to form healthy, loving relationships is learned. It’s theorized that early experience with a nurturing caregiver helps establish deeply ingrained patterns of relating to others. These patterns can become a source of deep anguish when the relationship ends.
Relationships can be casual “acquaintances,” such as acquaintances you might pass in the halls and greet with a smile or a polite hello. These relationships can also be more involved, based on regular interactions on a more in-depth level — for example, friends you enjoy spending time with and who share similar interests and values. Healthy relationships can also provide encouragement and motivation for personal growth, as they may support your goals for work or lifestyle changes.
A healthy relationship includes open communication. You and your partner can discuss issues ranging from money to family. You can talk about the big and small things that matter to you, and share your dreams, fears, and concerns. Your partner should be able to empathize with you and listen to your needs, without judgment. In addition, you can talk about conflicts in a productive way that avoids defensiveness or hostility.
You can learn a lot about yourself and your partner through the quality of your conversations and your ability to communicate effectively. If you’re in a relationship with “the one,” you and your partner likely have aligned life goals and visions for the future, and you both support each other as you work towards these goals.
In a healthy relationship, you can give and receive affection, energy, and love in balanced amounts. This balance can change over time and is dependent upon both people feeling like they are giving their all, and that they’re getting their needs met.
In some cases, you’ll discover that your partner doesn’t meet all of your needs – or that they’re not right for you anymore. It’s important to recognize when this happens and to move on. You can’t control how other people react to you, but you can learn to identify the signs that your relationship is no longer working for you, and then take steps to find a healthier alternative.