Relationships are a critical part of your social support network and play an important role in your mental health. They can range from intimate and romantic to distant and challenging, but every relationship has its own unique characteristics.
Relational Benefits
The most common definition of a relationship is a relationship that involves both emotional and physical intimacy, some level of commitment, and monogamy (i.e., romantic and sexual exclusivity). In a relationship, the people involved spend time together, work on building their connection, and continue to nurture that bond.
Positive relationships add meaning to our lives by making us feel significant, special, and important in the eyes of our partners. This feeling is often hard to achieve on your own, but it’s crucial to have someone in your life who makes you feel like you matter to them.
Affection and attraction are another essential component of romantic relationships. Having someone who makes you smile when you’re down, who teaches you to be more kind and caring, who appreciates your best qualities, who loves the way you look and smell, and who can make butterflies fly in your stomach is an incredible gift.
Communication, Trust, and Honesty
Effective communication is an essential part of healthy relationships. It allows you to set boundaries, solve problems, and express your feelings in a way that makes your partner feel heard and understood.
Certainty and Comfort
Having certainty in your relationship is the best thing you can have. When you know that you can count on your partner to help you out and that they won’t intentionally bring you pain, you feel safe in your relationship.