Relationships are a very important part of our lives and can affect us psychologically as well as physically. Social support is critical to human health and it can be found in many different forms, from friends to significant others. Relationships can be complicated and require work from both people involved. If a relationship isn’t working, it can cause stress and even damage our mental health. A healthy relationship should be one in which you can trust your partner and rely on them but also maintain a sense of independence and self-respect.
When we think of relationships, we usually picture a romantic partnership between two people. Typically, this involves commitment to spend time together and nurture the relationship. People in committed relationships may use identifiers like boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner to show how they relate to each other and distinguish themselves from other couples. While some people may choose to have casual relationships that resemble dating, this type of relationship isn’t always long-lasting.
A loving relationship is one in which you are willing to put the needs of your partner above your own. It’s a kind of love that can help you overcome obstacles and challenges in life. However, a loving relationship can be unhealthy if it’s driven by selfishness or a lack of respect for your feelings. People can stay in unhealthy relationships out of fear of being alone or because they’re dependent on the other person for financial, emotional, or physical support.
The right relationship is a life-enhancing one that can motivate you to become a better person and support you when you’re down. The right person can provide companionship, the potential to have children, and a safety net that allows you to fall back on your strength when you’re struggling. It’s a bond that puts your humanity into overdrive, giving you fuel to try harder things in life.
Healthy couples are not afraid of (respectful) conflict. It’s normal to disagree on some things, and this can make you a stronger couple in the long run. A loving couple should be able to discuss their disagreements without blaming or humiliating each other and they should find ways to compromise on those issues that aren’t crucial to the overall health of the relationship.
A healthy relationship requires open and honest communication. It’s also important to respect each other’s boundaries and privacy needs. If your partner tries to violate your boundaries or if they don’t listen when you express them, this is a red flag and should be taken seriously. Boundaries can be as simple as not sharing your passwords to each other’s accounts or as complex as agreeing to meet friends in separate locations when you’re together. Creating healthy boundaries is a process that takes time and effort, but it’s worth it for the benefits of being in a positive relationship. If you’re not sure where to start, ask for advice from a counselor or consider ending the relationship altogether if it’s causing you too much stress.