A relationship is a long term bond between two people. It can mean casual fun with someone you like or the start of a marriage, family or forever friendship. A healthy relationship can improve your mental health and physical well-being. It can help you get through stressful times and provide a sense of belonging.

A healthy relationship includes mutual respect and trust. You share interests, but you also have separate pursuits and personal goals. For example, if your partner wants to run marathons, but you enjoy playing video games, you both can be supportive of each other’s hobbies. You can also flex your availability and responsibilities to meet each other’s needs.

Intimacy is another component of a healthy relationship. This doesn’t always mean sex, but it can include kissing, hugging, cuddling and sleeping together. If you and your partner are not on the same page about this aspect of your relationship, it is important to talk about it and agree on what intimacy means for you.

You also need to consider how much you give and receive in your relationship. It is important to have balance in all areas of your relationship, but especially with respect to the amount of love and energy you are giving and receiving.

It is also important to know your partner’s love languages. This means understanding what kind of gestures and actions show your partner that you are thinking about them and that they feel loved. Knowing their preferred ways of showing affection, such as acts of service or quality time, can strengthen your bond with them.

Many people have a hard time letting go of relationships that are not working out for them. If you are in a relationship that you no longer find fulfilling, it is okay to decide to move on. It is better to let go of a bad relationship than to continue to be in an unhealthy one.

The benefits of a healthy relationship include emotional support, improved mental health and a stronger sense of self-worth. Positive relationships can even influence our long-term physical health by lowering stress levels and improving sleep quality. This can lead to a healthier immune system, lower blood pressure and heart disease rates and reduced chances of diabetes and obesity. Developing strong and healthy relationships is just as important for your health as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and not smoking.