Relationships are a huge part of our lives, and they can be a source of great happiness and satisfaction or frustration. They also impact our overall mental and physical well-being, so it’s important to know the different types of relationships that exist and how to best manage them.
In a healthy relationship, day-to-day life has an ease to it. Couples who can meet their daily responsibilities and get along without drama or poor communication are in good shape. They also handle ups and downs in a way that allows them to remain connected and committed, with a “we” attitude.
While everyone has different needs and goals, the basic need for human connection appears to be innate. Some studies have suggested that the ability to form stable relationships starts during infancy, as infants learn to trust a caregiver who reliably meets their needs for food, care, warmth, protection, stimulation and social contact.
A healthy relationship includes emotional and physical intimacy, including sexual intimacy. It may be monogamous or nonmonogamous, and it can involve commitments like marriage. It also includes mutually beneficial interactions such as sharing resources or supporting one another’s goals and dreams.
It’s also important to create and maintain boundaries, which can help couples stay secure in their own identities while supporting one another’s needs and goals. This can include creating space, taking time out or refusing to respond to certain emotional manipulations, such as guilt, pity and jealousy.