Relationships are a key part of being a human. People form relationships with their family, friends, romantic partners and coworkers. These relationships can be casual, such as dating or hooking up or they can be more serious like marriage. Regardless of the type of relationship, it takes work from both parties to make it healthy and long-lasting.
Intimacy is a key aspect of a healthy relationship. It is about being emotionally close to a person, sharing the full range of your thoughts and feelings, trusting that they won’t hurt you, and letting down your guard. It also includes physical intimacy like orgasms and kissing which reduces stress, increases happiness, and gives people a sense of connection and encouragement.
Having a partner means having someone to rely on for emotional support when you are feeling down. This can be a great relief and makes life feel less lonely. It also makes you feel more confident to take risks and chase after your dreams because you know that your partner is cheering you on.
Being in a relationship also eliminates the need to spend time and energy trying to find someone to go out with. For young adults, especially, who are heavily influenced by their peer groups, this can mean more freedom to do things they want to do without having to worry about whether there will be someone there to go with them. For many, a relationship also means less stress because they don’t have to think about finding someone to attend events or family functions.