Having close relationships can add years to your life, as well as improve your mental and physical health. These benefits include lower levels of stress, restful slumber, stronger immunity, and a sense of belonging.
Intimacy can be difficult to keep alive in a relationship, especially with busy schedules and kids. But there are some simple things you can do to keep your intimacy strong, like making time for couple activities even when you have a lot going on, limiting distractions, and being reliable.
It’s also important to listen closely to your partner, and to not interrupt or rush them. Taking the time to truly hear and understand them can help you deepen your bond with them, as well as help you grow as individuals.
You’re in a healthy, balanced relationship when you both feel like you’re giving and receiving a fair amount of love, support, and affection. This may look different in each relationship, but some things that can help you gauge the balance of your partnership are talking openly about what makes you happy, establishing trust by showing faithfulness and following through on promises, and avoiding keeping secrets.
It’s also essential to remember that a healthy relationship is not a game, so you should never try to keep score or judge your partner if they make mistakes or do something that irritates you. It’s also a good idea to maintain social relationships with other people outside of your relationship, and to be able to spend time on your own.