Relationships are part of life and like every other aspect of your wellbeing, they require regular attention. It has been scientifically proven that humans need to feel loved in order to thrive, and it is a very satisfying feeling to know that you’re supported emotionally and physically. It is also a great way to learn more about yourself and your needs, as well as the needs of your partner.
There are different types of relationships: family, friends, acquaintances, romantic and other non-romantic relationships, and many of these can overlap. However, most healthy relationships follow a similar pattern that can be adapted to the context. This includes the intensification phase, wherein you become closer to your partner through intimate activities (physical touch, cuddling, conversations about personal matters).
The maintenance and nourishing phases are when you work on keeping your relationship happy and healthy. This is when you set boundaries and communicate regularly, discuss problems as they arise, and help each other overcome challenges. It is important to be able to talk about difficult issues and disagree respectfully without resorting to blame or attacks.
The sustaining phase is the time when you spend more and more time together and you begin to make each other a priority over other things in your lives. You can nurture this by doing fun, shared activities that you both find engaging. This can include going out to movies, concerts or sporting events, cooking together, a DIY project, etc.