Relationships are the social connections you have with other people. They come in all shapes and sizes, from casual acquaintances to intimate, long-term partnerships. People need relationships for their emotional health, and research shows that people with a strong sense of connection have better physical health.
Intimate relationships often involve closeness and intimacy, such as sexual intimacy or feelings of romance or love. They can also include a commitment to each other, such as in marriage or a civil union. This type of relationship is commonly referred to as a significant other or a spouse.
A key element in a relationship is trust. When people know they can count on their partner to treat them with respect and be a stable source of support, they feel more secure. People in healthy relationships can talk openly about their emotions, which helps them understand and manage their feelings better. This can lead to emotional growth, which may benefit other areas of their lives, such as work.
Relationships can add a sense of meaning and purpose to life. People in healthy relationships often have shared goals, such as raising a family or building a career together. They can also feel connected to something bigger than themselves, such as a community or cause that they care about.