A relationship is any social, emotional, or physical connection you share with someone else. Relationships exist in a wide range of forms, from casual “acquaintances” you may see on a regular basis to family members that live together. Some types of relationships can be temporary, like a summer fling, while others are long-term, such as a marriage or long-term friendships.

People in healthy relationships experience a number of benefits. These include lower stress levels, restful sleep, and stronger mental health. The specifics of these benefits vary from person to person, but they generally involve a feeling of support and belonging. A sense of community also makes people more resilient to life’s challenges. Relationships are essential for most people, whether they’re romantic or not.

Some people stay in unhealthy relationships because they believe that the work required to keep a relationship healthy is difficult or exhausting. But the work of a healthy relationship isn’t so different from the work you put into any other endeavor that you love, such as a hobby or school project. In fact, it’s likely that you find the work exciting and stimulating.

In addition to the work that you and your partner do together, healthy relationships often require you to set aside time for each other’s interests, as well as for your own needs. Whether your partner wants to spend the weekend watching their favorite TV shows or running a marathon, you can be supportive by offering to take care of some of the other stuff so they can focus on their goal. In this way, you build a foundation of trust and respect.

For many people, the most important aspect of a healthy relationship is stability. You need to feel secure that your partner is committed to you and will not leave you for another person or a better opportunity. Many studies show that stable relationships can help prevent depression and other mood disorders.

Many couples struggle to establish and maintain a strong bond. Some people experience infidelity, while others lose interest in physical intimacy or become frustrated with their partner’s behavior. Regardless of the reason, you can rebuild and strengthen your relationship by learning how to understand and address conflict. One of the most respected researchers in this field is Gottman, who has spent 35 years studying married couples using video cameras, heart monitors, and other technology to identify patterns that lead to divorce and to successful, lasting relationships.

The importance of relationships varies from person to person, but all types of relationships serve important purposes in our lives. The types of relationships that benefit us most are those that are based on mutual respect and understanding, as well as those that are supportive of our goals and values.

This study asked participants to rate the 82 benefits of relationships on a five-point scale, with 1 indicating that the benefit is not important and 5 indicating that it is very important. This data was then used to construct a model that identified the most important factors in a relationship.