We all have different people in our lives and have created different types of relationships with them. It would be very helpful to learn more about these relationships that a person can have.
What many don’t know is that interpersonal relationships make up a huge and important part of your life. No matter the nature of the relationship, different types of relationships help make up the social support network that is pivotal for both your physical and mental well-being.
What is a Relationship?
A relationship is a connection between two people or a group of people.
One can have a relationship with a wide range of people, including family and friends. People engage in many different types of relationships that have unique characteristics.
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Types of relationships
There are many types of relationships and they can vary greatly in terms of closeness.
Family relationships
A family relationship can be defined as any combination of conjugal relationships that join two people directly or through a third party.
The family includes siblings and parents who you may see every day growing up, and other relatives such as cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. This lifelong bond can play a very important role in personal well-being and the ability to form other kinds of relationships outside of the family unit such as friendships and romantic relationships.
Related: Easy Steps To Become A Good Parent
Platonic relationships
A platonic relationship is a type of friendship that involves a close, intimate bond without sex or romance. It is strictly friendship. This type of relationship is characterized by understanding, respect, and acceptance.
Platonic relationships can involve same-sex or opposite-sex friendships.
This type of relationship plays an essential role in providing social support, which is essential for your mental health.
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Romantic relationships
Romantic relationships are types of relationships characterized by feelings of love and attraction for another person. Unlike family relationships, they tend to change over time.
At the start of a relationship, people typically experience stronger feelings of passion. And as the relationship matures, people develop deeper levels of emotional intimacy and understanding.
Romantic relationships often burn hot at the beginning. While the initial feelings of passion usually lessen in strength over time, feelings of trust, emotional intimacy, and commitment grow stronger.
Related: How to make a girl fall in love with you madly
Acquaintance relationship
Acquaintances are people you may encounter regularly, but who are not friends or relatives. It may be to a neighbor you see often.
It is important to be polite and respectful to acquaintances. And in some cases, relationships that start as acquaintanceships can, over time, evolve into friendships as you get to know the person better.
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Career-oriented relationship
Also called a professional relationship, this occurs when a career takes precedence over everything else.
Such a relationship thrives when the couple mutually agrees to contribute toward each other’s career goals. It works well in a professional workplace.
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Casual Relationships
Casual relationships often involve dating relationships that may include sex without expectations of commitment. They are most common among young adults and can include one-night stands, sex buddies, and the infamous friends with benefits.
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They can satisfy the need for sex, intimacy, connection, and companionship without the emotional demand and energy commitment of a more serious relationship.
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Open relationships
Also known as a non-exclusive type of relationship, an open relationship is an intimate relationship that is sexually based.
An open relationship implies having more than one sexual partner. In such a relationship, the partner agrees to engage in different types of romantic relationships or sexual activities outside their relationship.
SEE: Friendship Breakups: Why They Happen and Hurt So Much
Toxic relationships
A toxic relationship is any type of interpersonal relationship where your emotional, physical, or psychological well-being is undermined or threatened in some way.
These relationships often leave your mental health in a state of disarray as they make you feel ashamed, humiliated, misunderstood, or unsupported.
Toxic relationships are characterized by a lack of support, controlling behaviors, disrespect, and gaslighting.
SEE: Red Flags in Relationships You Must Not Ignore
How to keep your different types of relationships healthy
Regardless of how you define your type of relationship, there are important steps you can take to ensure that your connection is healthy.
Strategies that can help include:
- Exhibition of appreciation and gratitude
- Open and honest communication
- Mutual respect
- Showing interest in each other
- Being supportive and encouraging
- Feeling empathy for each other
- Having healthy boundaries
- Being trustworthy
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Conclusion
No matter what type of relationship you have, it needs to be a healthy one. Healthy relationships are characterized by trust, mutual respect, openness, honesty, and affection. Good communication is also a hallmark of a healthy relationship.
There are important steps that you can take to improve your relationships with other people.
