Whether it’s a close friendship, casual acquaintance or even a romantic relationship — positive relationships can give you a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Having healthy, positive relationships can make you feel happier, increase your self-esteem, and provide support through tough times. They can also help you achieve your goals and dreams. But, it’s important to remember that relationships take work. They require mutual understanding, respect, and a commitment to nurture each other.

A relationship is a close connection between people, including an emotional or physical intimacy, that may be sexual in nature and can be inseparable from feelings of love and romance. Relationships can vary in terms of length, complexity and openness, and can be monogamous, polyamorous, casual, formal, committed, or sex-free.

In the context of a long-term intimate relationship, the most beneficial factors that people consider when deciding to enter one are intrinsic (i.e., feelings of pleasure, happiness, and love). Interestingly, these factors load into the “Intrinsic benefits” domain which has the highest mean among the four domains, and are primarily motivated by the desire to experience positive emotions.

People in relationships can benefit from increased well-being, improved sleep quality, reduced stress, and stronger immune systems. In addition, they can feel more supported and able to take risks and pursue their dreams when they have a solid foundation of supportive relationships. But, it’s important to know that a relationship can be detrimental to your health if it doesn’t meet your needs and creates unhealthy conditions.

Relationships are complex, and each person’s individual needs ebb and flow based on their life experiences. For example, if you come from a family that is very close-knit, then it’s likely that a partner who disregards this aspect of your personality would be a poor fit for you.

It’s important to communicate effectively with your partners and have an honest conversation about expectations, beliefs and values. This is the only way to prevent miscommunication and misunderstandings that lead to resentment and conflict. It’s also essential to listen actively, not just waiting to talk, but truly listening to each other’s perspectives. This shows that you care about your partner and their opinions. It also helps foster empathy and is a critical part of healthy, fulfilling relationships.