A relationship is a connection between people, whether it’s family-related (like siblings or spouses) or professional, as in “My boss and I have a good working relationship.” The word can also be used to describe dealings that don’t directly involve people, like “a relationship between ticket price and sales” or “the relationship between health and disease.”
A healthy relationship is one where both partners feel loved and supported. The key to this is communication and respect. When both parties are able to discuss and debate their thoughts and feelings about the relationship and each other, it’s possible for them to find a way to compromise and meet in the middle.
Relationships also include people we know on a more casual basis, such as acquaintances or classmates. These relationships might help us feel connected to the outside world, but they are generally shallow in terms of the depth of our interactions and the level of closeness we have with them. They may provide the social structure we need to feel part of a larger group, but they are not intimate and do not make us emotionally satisfied.
Love and affection are the primary components of a romantic relationship. They are what distinguishes it from a platonic friendship, as well as from a work-related or family-related relationship. Love makes us feel good and brings out the best in us. It can even make the butterflies in our stomachs flutter.
It is important for both partners in a romantic relationship to have their own lives, interests, and goals. However, a strong and healthy couple will be able to balance the amount of energy, time, and love that they give each other. They will be able to talk about these things openly, and not fear that they are “taking too much” or that their individual needs are not being met.
Ideally, there are no secrets in a committed relationship. The partners should be able to talk about anything, even things they are afraid to talk about with their friends or families. They should be able to discuss their career and personal goals, and how these might change over time. They should also be able to talk about their sexual fantasies, as long as they are respectful and don’t hurt or offend the other person.
The benefits of being in a healthy, loving relationship are numerous. Studies have linked these relationships to a lower stress level, restful sleep, stronger immune systems, and improved mental health. The most obvious benefit, however, is the knowledge that someone cares about you and will be there for you through thick and thin.
The need for human connection is a fundamental aspect of our existence. Research suggests that the earliest relationships we form, in infancy and early childhood, establish the deep patterns of relating to others that we continue to carry throughout our lives. The end of a relationship can therefore be extremely painful, as these deeply ingrained patterns of relating to each other are shattered.