Relationships are the bonds people create with others and can vary in terms of length, commitment, and intimacy. A relationship can be platonic, romantic, casual, familial, business-related or any other kind of connection. The best relationships are ones that provide a balanced amount of love, care, trust, support and respect. They also include healthy boundaries and an equal amount of give-and-take. However, maintaining a good relationship isn’t always easy and even the most happy couples can face problems that need to be addressed.
Healthy relationships also require effective communication, including sex and other intimate topics that may be difficult to discuss. In addition, a positive and supportive relationship should never involve any type of abuse or neglect. This includes emotional abuse (shaming, belittling and other negative verbal or non-verbal behaviors that make a person feel humiliated, diminished or criticized) and physical abuse such as hitting, pushing or damaging items that belong to the person being mistreated.
Relationships are an important part of a person’s life, both for personal and professional reasons. The right kind of relationships can help people stay focused and motivated and they can add a sense of purpose to their lives, as well. In fact, research has shown that people with strong social ties live longer than those who are isolated. This is largely due to the fact that having someone in your corner can be therapeutic and it can encourage you to pursue your goals more boldly.