Relationships are interactions with other people that can involve emotional closeness, sexual intimacy, feelings of romance or love and a variety of other forms of connection. The term may be used to describe casual, platonic, or committed relationships, including those that are monogamous, polyamorous, open, or non-traditional. People are social beings and put a lot of value on their relationships. When those relationships are damaged, it can have a profound impact on mental health and well being.
Regardless of relationship status, whether single, dating, in a long-term partnership or marriage, maintaining a thriving relationship takes work and it’s often not easy to overcome challenges such as financial stress, addictions, illness, infidelity, abuse and other serious red flags that can destroy a connection. However, many couples are capable of overcoming these obstacles and can build a strong foundation for a life together.
Healthy communication is key to any relationship. Intimate partners should talk regularly and share their experiences, thoughts, opinions and feelings and be willing to listen and understand each other’s point of view. People should also learn how to communicate effectively, which involves listening attentively, avoiding interrupting and double checking that they have been understood correctly.
Lastly, it is important for everyone in any relationship to be able to maintain their own sense of self and independence. This could include things like finding a hobby you both enjoy, going out with friends or spending time in solitude and doing activities that bring you pleasure.