Relationships make up a large part of your life and are very important to your emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. Having healthy and strong relationships can help you cope with challenging times, recover from illness and even live longer. There are four main types of relationships: family, friendships, acquaintanceships and romantic relationships. Different types of relationships serve different purposes and some of them can overlap. There are also variations within these categories, for example codependent friendships and toxic relationships.
A healthy relationship is one in which you feel a meaningful emotional connection with your partner. This means that you love and appreciate them and they love and appreciate you back. You also share interests, goals and a mutual sense of responsibility for each other’s happiness and well-being. In addition, you maintain a healthy balance of independence and interdependence. This is achieved by respecting each other’s boundaries and not controlling each other.
Loyalty is a critical component of any relationship. Your loyalty should be unflinching, even in the face of difficult circumstances. This is what makes a true and lasting commitment. People change over time and this is normal and expected in a loving relationship. However, it is the responsibility of committed partners to communicate regularly and truly listen to each other and to double check that they have understood each other correctly.
Your significant other should also respect the fact that they are an individual with their own interests and perspectives, things they like to do by themselves or with others and hobbies that are not related to you. It is a sign of respect that you allow them to spend time with other people and that they respect your right to do so.