Relationships are associations between two people, whether those relationships involve a romantic interest, friendship, business, or another form of social commitment. Relationships can be monogamous, polyamorous, casual, formal, or open.
1. A significant other is someone you care about, with whom you share a mutually satisfying relationship that can include sex or physical intimacy. This is a gender-neutral term used in addition to terms like “boyfriend,” “girlfriend,” “lover,” and “partner.”
2. A healthy, balanced relationship is one where both people give and receive affection, love, and energy equally. A healthy balance of these things can look different for every couple, but it is typically based on each person feeling valued, respected, and getting their needs met in the relationship.
3. A healthy, balanced relationship includes respectful communication and a commitment to building each other up rather than tearing each other down. Healthy communication includes listening to each other, being able to talk openly about difficult issues, and avoiding assumptions or misunderstandings. It also includes being willing to compromise and admit when you have made a mistake.
4. A healthy, balanced relationship includes an emphasis on activities outside the relationship that contribute to each person’s well-being, including exercise, hobbies, family time, and friends. It also includes sharing responsibility for household chores and responsibilities, and being respectful of each other’s individual time and space.
5. A healthy, balanced relationship includes encouragement to live a healthy lifestyle, including eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, not smoking or drinking too much alcohol, and staying emotionally close with your loved ones. It also encourages good hygiene and proper health habits, such as regular dental and eye exams.
