A healthy relationship has the potential to change your life. It can offer you a support system that pushes you to achieve your goals and dreams, and that picks you up when you stumble. It can also help you strengthen your communication skills and become a better version of yourself. The key is to make sure that your partner is a good fit for you and that you’re able to talk about your needs, boundaries, and interests in a way that makes you both feel heard and respected.
Whether you’re looking for your “the one,” or simply want a supportive community to lean on, relationships are essential for our happiness and success. However, they’re not always easy to navigate. Fortunately, there are many benefits of being in the right relationship, including lower stress levels, restful sleep, improved mental health, and more. In addition, a healthy relationship is the foundation for building your identity as a whole person and can fuel your passions to succeed.
There are a lot of different types of relationships, but what most people mean when they say “relationship” is a close and intimate connection with another person that may include sex or physical intimacy, feelings of romance or love, or mutual affection. These connections can be platonic, informal, or formal, such as in a marriage.
When you find “the one,” it usually feels like a gut feeling that this is the person for you. It’s someone who understands you and supports your unique personality. They cheer you on when you’re trying your best and encourage you to keep pushing forward, even if the challenges seem insurmountable. They’re the person who makes you smile when you’re down, who teaches you things about yourself that you never knew before, and who you can’t wait to be around every day.
In healthy relationships, there is often less production of the hormone cortisol and a stronger sense of social and emotional support. Additionally, when a couple is happy in their relationship, they tend to have lower depressive symptoms than those who are widowed, single, or divorced/separated.
A good relationship takes work, but the payoff is tremendous. If you’re looking for a partner who lifts your spirits, who makes you laugh, and who brings out the best in you, keep searching until you find them. Once you do, cherish them and be grateful for them each day. Your heart will thank you.