Relationships are a crucial part of being human. They make us feel connected, they help us cope with life’s ups and downs and they give meaning to our lives. But they can also be difficult and can break down over time. And that is why it’s important to be aware of the different types of relationships and their benefits.
Casual Acquaintances and Friends
Relationship types range from casual acquaintances (people you might see in the halls or at school) to close friends and romantic partners. There are also long-term committed relationships, such as marriage, and short-term relationships that involve a lot of dating but don’t include any romantic or sexual commitments.
Committed Relationships
A committed relationship is one where you’ve made a public statement to keep the other person in your life. The relationship may be monogamous (where you have a single romantic partner) or polyamorous (where you have more than one sexual partner).
If you’re in a committed relationship, it’s a good idea to be romantically and physically exclusive with your partner. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have other friends and partners, but it does mean that they should be people you choose carefully.
Healthy, Equality-based Relationships
In a healthy relationship, both people are equally valued and treated with respect. This means that both people should be able to express their emotions without feeling judged or attacked. It also means that both people should be able to listen to the other without being put off by them.
The most important thing about a healthy relationship is that both people know they can count on each other in difficult situations. This means that both people should be willing to put in the effort to make their relationship work, even when it’s tough or frustrating.
When you’re in a relationship with someone, it’s easy to get jealous and upset if you think they’re being cheated on or if they’re not treating you fairly. This can be hard to manage, but it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t let jealousy interfere with your relationship.
Keeping Physical Intimacy Alive
A healthy relationship involves a lot of touch, especially when it’s between partners. You need to be able to hug, kiss, or hold hands with your partner regularly. But it’s also important to be careful about how you approach them and how much touch they want. Unwanted touching or inappropriate overtures can cause them to become tense and withdraw, which is exactly what you don’t want.
Communication and Trust
A strong relationship requires two people to communicate effectively, especially when it comes to sex and intimacy. This is especially important for people in romantic relationships, so it’s a good idea to be sensitive about your partners’ feelings about these topics.
It’s also a good idea to listen carefully to what your partner is saying and double check that you have understood them correctly. Misunderstandings can lead to arguments, so it’s important to try to avoid these and always be sure that your partner has been heard and understood.