Relationships make up a huge part of our social support network and can contribute to our overall happiness and physical health. But they can also be a source of pain. It’s important to recognize that there are different kinds of relationships and to learn how to define and talk about them accurately.
Often, the word relationship is used to describe a romantic connection, but it can also refer to friendships, acquaintanceships, and other types of relationships that do not involve a physical or emotional attachment. It can even be used to describe interactions with your children or other relatives. This wide variety of relationships can be hard to keep track of and may be confusing, especially for those who have not been exposed to a lot of different types of relationships.
A healthy relationship includes a sense of affection and trust. It should be a place where you feel safe to express your feelings and thoughts without being attacked or judged. It’s important to work on resolving conflicts in a respectful way. In fact, research suggests that people who have close relationships live longer than those who do not.
A healthy relationship is also supportive of each person’s goals and needs. For example, if your partner wants to run a marathon and you don’t, it is important to communicate about this clearly and allow them to continue their training as long as the rest of the relationship is supportive.